Fact is not Truth

Last Sunday, amidst lots of stuff said in front of the pulpit, these four words were mentioned casually but it stuck in my head throughout the entire week. How could a fact NOT be the truth?

Fact – Knowledge or information based on real occurrences.
Truth – Supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.

As I pondered upon these words, the confusion began to unravel and I began to see its underlying meaning. Allow me to explain a real-life scenario that brought light to this contradicting phrase.

Scenario:
Person A had taken off due to a certain circumstance. Person B feels the betrayal and loss of Person A. While coping with the loss, Person B had taken the initiative to contact and care, however there was no response. The nagging question was, “Why isn’t there a slight bit of response to my efforts to reconciliation?”

Fact for Person B:

• Person A was first in the wrong for taking off.
• Had taken the initiative for reconciliation (being the party that was in hurt).
• There was no response from Person A.

Fast-forward a couple of weeks at a local supermarket; the two sighted each other from a distance. Person A felt anger and hurt as Person B decided to steer off to a different direction to avoid direct contact. The nagging question was, “The incident happened so long ago. Is it so difficult just to come on over and greet me like a decent human being?”

Fact for Person A:

• Person B is unforgiving and immature by steering off.
• Taking off was just as difficult for both parties. Why be regarded as a lesser being for deciding what was thought best?

Truth, (perhaps?):

• Though armed with good intentions for reconciliation, whenever in contact with Person A, Person B was very condescending. Feeling the rebuke instead of support, Person A responded negatively when contacted.
• Person B did not want Person A to feel awkward with a direct confrontation, remembering the previous negative responses. However, this action had caused feelings of continued rejection.

Viewing the situation based on facts would bring about feelings of hurt and anger. The truth; however might not be what the facts had presented. Reacting to facts births forth self-righteousness and a judgmental spirit because one is unable to see the full picture.

Let us treat others with the same amount of grace Christ has given us. May the truth set us free…