How do you prove something true, especially something new? Is there a set of directions, a life formula one can follow? Do you just accept someone’s word? Is there something more you can do? Can you ever really be confident? There are two parts of the question. Evidence and proof are the first, confidence the second. I find connection between the two but never an automatic link. History and tradition suggests proof is gained through two witnesses. There should be no question about the value contained in the premise but confidence? Be very careful.
We were in our early teens, the youngest around eight. An innocent question of “why” did the blue light come on the dash came from the youngest. The sequence that followed is a warning to anyone trusting the witness of friends, especially when they are having fun at your expense.
“The blue light is a signal there are cows, dogs, and other animals on the street”. (You should know that these were the streets of Bangalore India in the early seventies.)
“How does the light know?”
“The car has sensors.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Yes, Yes.” (Lead deceiver joined by two cohorts. Unfortunately I was one.)
“Why didn’t the light come on yesterday?”
“I just had the new feature installed. It’s magical!”
“Why haven’t I heard about this anywhere else before?”
“We are the first. We are the test-trial for India.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Yes, Yes.”
Trust the testimony of three. It was as if the young boy had read “the conditions set down in God's Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses. And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me.” (John 8.17, 18)
The catch, then and now, is the “my” and “Father”. Do I know the measure of their souls? Have I experienced relationship?
It isn’t enough to trust new words; one needs to understand and experience the motives involved. Divinity comes with mercy, compassion, and love; credentials we can trust – always.
