What is truth?
This will be my last blog for the year, 2020 has been a crazy time and December in any year gets a little crazy, so in light of the craziness that is about to ensue here is my final post for 2020.
What is truth? These words were uttered by Pontius Pilate over 2000 years ago. How prophetic those words are. We live in what is called a post Christian, post modern world. The prevailing world view held by most people is that ‘it’s the individual matters, I’m an individual therefore I matter, I have to look after myself.” This is the cry of our society which has increasingly become narcissistic and consumerist. Within this world view is that truth is no longer objective, that is based on a set of concrete precepts and moral guidelines, but truth is subjective.
Subjective truth is that what is true for me is not necessarily true for you. One must find their own truth. Truth then is found on a foundation of feelings and ideals that make us feel good, take away responsibility for our actions, and keep our own selfish goals and ambitions at the fore front.
It’s a truth based on feelings. Think about how many of the so-called motivational speakers go on about being the best you, you can be. Its all about hype and making you feel good. The same has come into the church, there are many preachers who preach a message that makes us feel good, we walk away telling ourselves that we are all right. There is no mention of sin, or responsibility for our actions, no Holy Spirit conviction.
It says in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. We see this happening in the world and in the church. This should not be so. Truth is not subjective; it cannot survive and those who live by this will at some point fail. Truth to be real has to be found in objective reality. It has to be based on something greater than us, something so supremely bigger that we are. It cannot be based on mans wisdom, for that is finite. For truth to be real it has to be infinite, has to transcend our wisdom and be unmovable. This truth has been revealed in His word, the bible.
This is an unpopular opinion, because it brings objective reality to the forefront of who we are and where we stand. It shows us our short comings, it brings us face to face with the consequences of our actions, demands that we take responsibility for what we have done, and the make amends. This is something thew world does not want to do, and even in the church this has sneaked in.
Moses gave the Israelites the ten commandments. Ten rules in which to live by. Ten truths that are immovable, there is no grey shades to be found, no wriggle room to get one’s own way. They are black and white, given from a source higher than us, they come directly from God. This truth is objective and based in reality.
Truth is never vague; truth is always clear about its intent. This nation was built on a foundation of truth as found in the scriptures, but that is being eroded away in name of secularism. In our times it seems we are looking for truth, looking for meaning in a world that is meaningless. Where can we find this hope, where can we find truth?
Truth is objective, truth is found only in the loving arms of our creator. It is in Him that we can have true meaning and true lasting fulfillment and know that truth is based on His word. It says it Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Come to Christ and He will give you the rest from the endless chasing after truth and meaning, and in John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Christ is the truth. Now is the time to consider what you call truth. Is the bible the final authority in your life? Is Jesus your Lord? Do you let Him be reign? Or is it the world you look to for truth.
In Christ our redeemer Ps Jeff