Nothing but the truth – the whole truth, – what is truth?
IS TRUTH RELATIVE OR ABSOLUTE?
What is the truth? Is it relative or absolute? In today’s Postmodern culture most would say it is relative. The concept of absolute truth has taken a back seat to “my and your” truth.. In other words, most believe what is true is whatever you or anyone else thinks it is. It is a moving target. This is called “relativism”.
RELATIVISM
Relativism says there are no absolutes and that right and wrong are positions of choice based upon each person’s definition. It holds that all points of view are equally valid and that all truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual. So, for the relativist what is true is whatever you think it is.
TOLERANCE
In addition, those who are defenders of relativism see it as a harbinger of tolerance and the only ethical and logical stance worthy of the open-minded and tolerant. They claim that telling someone their morality is wrong is intolerant, while relativism tolerates all views.
TODAYS CANCEL CULTURE
What is interesting is how those who consider themselves open-minded and tolerant are often the most closed-minded and intolerant. Seldom do they want to give others with opposing views the freedom to express those views particularly if they are Biblical or Christian viewpoints. If you do, they will label you as intolerant or insensitive and in today’s “cancel culture” to try to use the influence of social media to execute swift and severe retribution to shame, ostracize, and belittle you.
THE REAL ISSUE
The real issue is – people don’t want to submit themselves to God and to what the Bible says. They want to be their own God. They want the freedom to do what they want to do with no one else telling them what to do and to do it without guilt or consequences regardless of how depraved, evil, wicked, or detestable. They dismiss absolute truth; they reject God and the Bible and instead promote the philosophical idea that every person has the right to establish their own morality and standards.
THE WORD OF GOD IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH
So, is there absolute truth, and if there is what is it? Truth is found only in the Word of God. Ps 119:160 says, “The entirety of (God’s) word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Jesus praying to the Father said, “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) God’s Word (truth) is not subjective or relative. It is not based upon feelings or experience or perspective. Truth is NOT based on the ever-changing consensus of the crowd. It’s not what I think is truth or what you think is is or what any other individual, group, organization, or government thinks it is. They may all try to define or establish it, but God alone, the creator of heaven and earth, and the giver of life determines truth. It is never changing. Heaven and earth will pass away. The grass and flowers will wither. But the Word of God stands forever – it is the ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
BELIEVING GOD – or not
The crux of the matter really becomes whether or not God is who He declares He is, and whether His written Word is what it claims it is. It either is or is not – “the truth”. Listen, you can’t trust what you read on the Internet. You can’t trust everything you hear from your professors. You certainly can’t trust all the facts given by our politicians. You can’t even trust the fact-checkers who check those facts! Statistics can be manipulated. Photographs can be faked. Magazine covers can be airbrushed. Our teachers, our friends, our science, our studies, even our eyes can deceive us. But the word of God is entirely true and always true. It is the truth!
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Now it is entirely up to you and each person rather or not you want to accept WHAT GOD AND HIS WORD SAYS. God gives you the freedom to reject, to doubt, or to not believe the truth. As Christians, we honor people’s freedom of choice. However, nothing you do or not do, believe or not believe changes THE TRUTH. It is still true. You can choose not to believe in gravity, reject the idea of gravity, have concerns about gravity, but if you jump off the roof of a building you are going down. Whatever you choose about the truth doesn’t change it or make it untrue.
CHOOSE THE TRUTH – CHOOSE JESUS
What is true is far more than just facts. It is far more than a moral guide. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). He didn’t say He would show or teach the truth or model it. He said – He is it. He is the Word in the flesh. (John 1:14) He is the source of all that is true, the embodiment of it, and therefore the reference point for evaluating what is true or not true. Truth is the Word, but it is also a person. You can choose to believe whatever you want. You can make up your own, but only God’s Word and knowing that Word, and knowing Jesus can set you free and give you an abundant everlasting life of peace and joy. I want to encourage you to – Choose Jesus – choose the truth!
