By Bob Beanblossom
18 July 2016
It seems to me that we Christians are letting relativism into our personal and corporate theologies. In this system, there are no absolutes. ‘Facts’ are personal perceptions, ‘rights‘ are what I want them to be, and ‘truth‘ is both variable and adaptable–situational ethics. In spite of the relativist’s most ardent beliefs, their concept is false. Even a quick look around will verify the failure of relativism to solve world problems.
There is a perverse nature in man that allows–even encourages–him to accept a part of truth that suits him and ignore or reject the rest. Perhaps the driving factor is that we don’t like to be wrong.
“I can do all things,” man says, while God concludes, “thru Christ which strengtheneth me.” Man in his own wisdom and power rejects the very Source of all power. All so he can say, “I did it my way.”
Let’s look briefly at the concept Truth.
When the God of Creation said, “Let there be light; and there was Light” (Genesis 1:3), Truth already existed in its final form, its only form. Jesus, the Word, said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6a). He anchored those attributes in eternity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2). Situational ethics is not acceptable to our Lord: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines.” (Hebrews 13:8-9)
Jesus explained the importance of a fixed Truth when He concluded John 14:6: “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Access to God is available to sinful man (that’s all of us) only thru Jesus.
Some religions–including some Christian denominations–have ‘pillars’ supporting their belief system–their theology. True Christianity neither has nor needs pillars. It is Truth, unadulterated, uncompromised, and unapologetic, in the person of Jesus: the Christ, the Messiah.
Let me hasten to explain before I continue. I am not including outlines and teaching aids. But we humans tend to take the easy way out. We like ‘simple’ in the midst of our self-inflicted chaos. As a result, we are captives of short commercials, sound bites, and quick descriptions. All too often, the quick view, the Digest Condensation, is all we ever learn. Look back–how many commercial jingles and slogans from the past do you remember when you forgot the year the Constitution was signed, or the date you were saved.
There are no degrees of Truth in Christianity, for Jesus alone, the uncreated One, is that Truth. There are no shades of gray in Truth. His Truth is neither a discussion item, nor does it share itself with other ‘truths’: it is absolute, complete, and eternal.
One must embrace it or reject it. There is no middle ground. It cannot be subdivided, classified, or indexed: it is singularly as complete as Creation itself but is far different: Creation is the work of God while Truth is an integral aspect of God.
It cannot be overpowered by man’s logic or bypassed by his experience, will, or ignorance.
Yet, it is but a part of the totality of a singular Godhead in three unique and distinct Persons, revealed to man the creature by his Creator, in the Person of the WORD, and by His written Word. Other descriptors such as omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent are combined with just, righteous, and many more to help us in our finite capacity to understand an infinite God. His very infinitude precludes us from anything approaching a real concept of His totality. The words, if we are not careful, become our concept of Him instead of pointers to His attribuites. God is, from eternity past thfu eternity future, absolute and changeless.
He is Truth. Therefore, Truth never wavers, never changes, never departs.
We are left, then, with our responsibility, our duty. It is simply what it has been from Creation.
Still, why would we want to give up that me-first centroid of personal achievement and pride? Why would I place myself under the rule of another–especially an unseen God? That sounds like a throwback to the days of man-made gods and idols. Here’s why: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) When we consider the real results of doing it our way, it starts to make sense. If we are honest, we have to acknowledge that our way has not been that great. At best, my way is a poor way. It leaves a lot to be desired.
Do I really need to change? Maybe I just need a dose of that power, a quick shot in the arm, so I can move on. I’m afraid not: “For the wages of sin are death (that is eternal death); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
There it is again: we are bad. God is good, and belief in and service to Jesus Christ is the answer. The Apostle Paul even called himself a ‘prisoner’ of the Lord–a voluntary position chosen as he realized his utter inability to be what God demanded without the help of God. He realized that it was not so much what we do for Christ as what we do thru Him that counts. Until we come face to face with that reality, until we acknowledge our own insufficiency, we cannot move forward.
What if I am not convinced. I’ve made it this far without God. What if I just ride it our for awhile and see how it plays out for me? That answer is simple: “He that believeth shall be saved (from eternal damnation), but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)
The first step is repentance: “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out . . .” (Acts 3:19a)
Then the growth process begins here: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Need more help? Here it is: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
Now comes the duty. The last verse shows that we need not be a finished scholar. As He saved us from our sins when we knew so little, He will direct us in our endeavors. “Go ye into all the world, and preach (teach) the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
A final note is necessary: Nowhere does He promise health and wealth, peace and prosperity, or any other aspect of what we might call the ‘good life.’ We should not be lured by the unscrupulous into believing that. After all, Jesus was crucified, His followers scattered or martyred, and to this day ridiculed–but He did give each one–every one–something far better: a personal relationship with the God of the universe and an internal joy that will never be quenched or even diminished: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phillippians 4:7)