My last three posts have been about truth. It can be confusing to discern truth from error. The world would tell me that truth is not absolute, and everyone is entitled to their own version of truth. But, God says there is absolute truth. Jesus says He is THE truth. So, if I am to acknowledge God’s truth, I’d have to submit to His rules. That’s not easy. And does truth matter anyway?
Does it matter?
“In the ongoing philosophical debate between absolute truth and relative truth, it becomes clear that understanding the nature of truth is essential.” Absolute vs relative truth
You know, in my heart of hearts, I often just want to be my own boss, making my own choices and rules. It’s so appealing to be a king/queen in my own kingdom. It feels so powerful and so important. How great I am!
In Are They Telling the Truth? I wrote about scammers. But I’m not like the scammers, trying to get the better of someone else. I’m not trying to rip anyone off. I just want to leave in peace.
Surely, it’s OK to tell a white lie every now and then? Surely, it’s OK to break the speed limit, especially if I’m late for an important event. Surely, making my own rules, and my own truth, is OK if I’m not hurting anyone else? It’s surely OK if everyone else is doing it? Does truth really matter? After all, isn’t God loving, forgiving, and merciful? Won’t He just turn a blind eye?
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 15:3 KJV
God is righteous and just
So no, God won’t just turn a blind eye.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
Romans 1:18
Surely, I’m not a wicked person. I think I’m basically pretty good. Unlike Erin Patterson who I wrote about in Finding the Truth: the deathcap mushroom case I haven’t served a poisonous meal to my dinner guests. I certainly haven’t murdered anyone.
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[an Aramaic term of contempt] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Matthew 5:21-22
Wow! Yes, I’ve been angry with other people many times. And God says I’ll be subject to judgement for that, in the same way as a murderer is subject to judgement. And I’ve called people fools too. Making me in danger of the fire of hell!
My sinful nature
Although I may not have been a murderer, I’ve been a hater. I’ve called people fools. And according to God’s justice, I’m in danger of the same judgement and eternal punishment as a murderer. I’m not basically good. I’m basically rotten!
Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:5
Maybe I can try harder to be better?
Nope. I’ll never be able to reach God’s standard of perfection:
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Even when I try to do good things, I fail. I can agree with St Paul when he writes:
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate – I do. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
Romans 7:15,18,19
Telling the truth
The truth is, I am a sinner. I am sinful by nature. And I can’t help sinning every day. I deserve God’s wrath and judgement and eternal punishment.
The truth is, God sent Jesus to pay for my sin and yours. Jesus took the judgement and punishment that you and I deserve.
Jesus died in your place. Not because you’re so wonderful, or beautiful, or good, or clever, or hard-working.
Nope. You’re the opposite of all this. Without Jesus, you’re God’s enemy!
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.
Colossians 1:21
The truth is, Jesus came to save you from the consequences of your sins, and to reconcile you to God.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
The truth is, because of Jesus, God calls you holy and blameless.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
Colossians 1:22
The truth is, this is a free gift, given by God, because HE LOVES YOU! The truth matters. You matter to God!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
What about you?
What do you think about truth?
Does it matter?
How do you feel when you hear how much God loves you?
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