After years of wonderful camping adventures in our current van, we’ve decided to upgrade it. So we’ve been trying to sell our old one via online selling platforms. After only having just listed it, the next morning we had two people interested. But their stories didn’t quite ring true. Both prospective buyers asked us to obtain a history certificate. Fair enough, but they named one that was based overseas. After a few more emails, we wondered if they were genuine buyers telling the truth or were they just trying to scam us.
Hubby asked for information that would let us know that they were genuine. The first one gave an address about 40 minutes away. We looked it up on Google Maps, and it was a real house in the suburbs. So, the next day hubby drove to the property. It didn’t look as if anyone was at home. But just as hubby was about to drive away, a young man drove into the driveway. So, hubby asked if anyone at that address had made enquiries about buying a caravan. The man replied that he hadn’t, and neither had his parents who lived with him. In fact, they didn’t even speak English. So! It seems the “buyer” wasn’t telling the truth.
Last week, my blog What is Truth? noted that the idea of truth seems to have changed. Now, many question the existence of one absolute truth, and a number of theories exist about truth. It’s difficult to know who is telling the truth, and who we can trust.
Truth Decay
Some have described the issue as ‘truth decay’ Postmodernist Truth Decay. In the past, truth was something one could hold onto. It was absolutely trustworthy, now and always. People would make promises and vow to tell the truth and keep their promises. Now, however, it seems that what was once true, may not be. Now it may just be your opinion. You can’t know what is right and true for me, because only I know what I know, and what I have experienced. You have no right to force your outdated view of truth on me. It’s my life and my truth!
Is this a new problem?
It’s easy to think that truth decay is a modern problem, as people throw off the traditions and beliefs of the past. But God wrote about it about 3000 years ago!
So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.
Isaiah 59:14
Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.
Jeremiah 7:28b
Nobody can tell me what to do
If you are the only one who knows, and can know, your truth, then nobody else has the right to tell you what to do. There is no absolute truth, and therefore no absolute right and wrong. You are more than capable of making your own rules and ruling your own world kingdom to suit yourself. You have the right to be king of your own castle. You may believe that God has no place making rules for you.
God is Absolute Truth
We are free to believe what we like, but God says that He is THE truth, whether we like it or not. God says that His word is truth. His truth will not change but is eternal.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17
The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35
Jesus called Himself THE truth.
I am the way and the truth and the life.
John 14:6a
Even if every human being is a liar, God says He is true.
What if some Jews were not faithful? Will the fact that they weren’t faithful keep God from being faithful? Not at all! God is true, even if every human being is a liar.
Psalm 51:3-4a NIVR
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19
Which will you choose?
So, we have a choice to make. Will we choose to be our own gods, deciding our own truths? Or will we acknowledge THE truth? It’s a choice between irreconcilable options.
How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him?
1 Kings 18:21
For this reason, I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.
John 18:37
If you are truly my disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
John 8:31-32
NEXT TIME:
I plan to explore more about truth in my next blog, as the world considers the Mushroom Murder case.
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