Life can be very tricky, filled with people who desire to take advantage of us and even at times cause us harm. But, one area where I hope we as the body of Christ are consistent is our definition of truth. Pilate asked Jesus during his trial a hauntingly convicting question, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) This question is one that can cause much debating, thought, and discussion truth is one of the main cornerstones that we as Christians need to wrap our minds around. Once we understand and faithfully live out the answer to what truth is and all about, then our lives are going to become powerful and dynamic beyond our wildest beliefs and imagination.
Let's dive in!
1) Truth cannot be separated from God.
This is one of the most fundamental characteristics of God. I would say it would fall into a close second behind God is love. But, truth is woven very deep into the fabric of God's existence. The Bible does an amazing job of capturing both the actions and the heart of God. It is a book written through the hands of men and women, but what it communicates is life-changing truth which is inspired by and centered in God Himself.
The lesson behind all of this is that truth outside and separate from God is often few and far between. I don't want to necessarily say that only the words of the Bible are true, because we have seen a lot of new and great things come our way in terms of technology, medicine, architecture, etc. But, what I do want to say that the blueprint for your life, the example we are called to follow is right in the words of the Bible. If a cause, action, deed, or even words appear separate from the nature and heart of God or contradict the words of the Bible then they more than likely need to be avoided. Now, I will say that are certain examples in the Bible that if we take them literally we could be in trouble. These are examples spoken in metaphor or simile terminology. If we cut off our hand every time we sinned then we would have a society of people who just have stumps at the ends of their arms. No one would have arms, it is in cases like these that we are called to use our good judgment which God has blessed us with and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide us.
2) Moral truths are absolute and objective.
Not every statement is true and truth can be relative at times. Let me repeat that not every statement is true. I'm typing this up on a Tuesday, and if I write I typed this on a Friday that would be untrue. However, if I waited a few days and left that statement up there then it would be true that I typed it on a Friday. Certain truth statements do change for example, "Polio is an deadly, crippling disease." If you had said that 100 years ago, you would be 100% correct. But, thanks to gifts God blessed Jonas Salk with that statement is no longer true.
However, subjective truth cannot be applied to all areas of life. Especially in terms of morality there needs to be absolute truth. Because we live in a world where two things are true at the same time. 1) We live in a world that is filled with sin and brokenness. 2) Human beings can do some very bad but also very good things to each other.
The Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 are the best, most clear and concise outlines of moral truths. Jesus took these Ten Commandments and condensed them further by saying that we should love God with all we have and love our neighbor as ourselves. Living out the Ten Commandments and Jesus' new commands in Matthew 22 is not always the easiest, most-fun way to live, but it will lead to worthwhile relationships, a life filled with good decisions, and it will be a life that honors God. There has to be universal moral truths, that people live by and live into if not then are society borders on the chaotic and sociopathic.
3) Truth can only lead to one end.
There is only one final reality. All of the philosophies, mind-sets, and belief systems that are proposed by many different people all over the world have a similar goal (a final destination that ends in happiness, glory/etc.) But, all destinations and goals are all called something different and all have a different route to get there. The Bible is clear in John 14 that Jesus is the only way to get Heaven, so the tough truth and pill to swallow from that is if John 14 is right, then every other claim is wrong.
Now, I will say this message is not popular by any means. People don't like to be told they're wrong, probably ever, but that is the reality of what we face as Christians. Now, before anyone begins to drop words like exclusive or strict, let me say that Christ is for everyone. No one is denied access to the father, but they have to come on Jesus' terms. Let me explain truth in terms of the law. We are in a society that if someone steals something the resulting consequence is almost legal action. There is no alternate consequence or action, if someone steals, murders, vandalizes, etc. legal action is taken. The same thing happens with beginning a relationship with Jesus one of the many intended consequences is having your final end being Heaven. We've all taken tests, and we know that for each question on the exam there is one answer. A statement can't be true or false, choices A, B, and C cannot all be correct. The same thing is true about our final end, we cannot all believe different things, live different lives, and end up in the same place. It doesn't happen and cannot happen. The truth of Christianity is for everyone.
4) Living a life that aligns with moral and scripture truths brings about blessing and hope.
This will be the shortest of all the four points. But, I've never met anyone in my 27 years of life who has said, "I regret living too much like Jesus." It is a difficult, fulfilling life but it's a life that will be filled with blessings and hope. I'm not always talking about physical blessing, but if every action has a consequence the logical jump behind living a life of goodness, honesty, and blessing is that all those things would follow you.
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