The church is living in a period in which truth is declared to be relative to individual people. What this means is that while one person declares one thing to be true, it may not be true for someone else. This philosophy may work for some things, but not for all. As an example, if a parent were to say to his child that broccoli tastes good, this could, in fact, be true for the parent. However, as many people would know, it may not be true for the child. In this sense, the truth claim is relative.
But the very essence of the claim must be recognized, as well. This type of claim is based on personal preference. Personal preference claims can only be allowed to go so far in the life of an individual to validate what is true. The problem is that the church is in the midst of a culture that loves to determine the truth in this type of way.
In reality, it is more pragmatic than anything else. The pragmatist says, “If it works for me, it is good for me. If what works for you is something different, then that is good for you.” Once again, someone can find a kernel of truth in a claim such as this. Some people should avoid certain people, places, and things because of their past and the way that it may arouse temptation in their hearts. On the other hand, some Christians may have a little more liberty in some areas than others because they have not polluted their hearts by sowing bad seed.
Nevertheless, the Christian must see the flaws in the pragmatist’s thinking. Surely there will be times in which the Christian may find some “benefit” from lying. If his boss confronts him on a major mess up at work, he may find that he can get out of it by being quick on his toes and coming up with a sneaky lie to get his boss off of his tracks. This may allow the lying employee to advance in the company, to be seen as better than he really is, and to build up his perfect reputation at work. The pragmatic would say, “Go for it; that is the best option.” But the Christian must recognize that while there may be some worldly benefits that would come with being a liar, lying is actually a sin that must be repented of.
The Bible makes it clear that truth is absolute and, even more so, that Jesus is the embodiment of truth. First John 2:21-23 sheds some light on this fact.
Truth is absolute
Scripture says, “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth” (1 John 2:21). Here John makes it clear that in the world, there is such a thing as a lie and the truth. He makes the definitive claim that truth is not relative. Instead, truth is absolute. Truth is not subjective; rather, it is objective. There is the truth, and there is a lie. There is no grey area. Either something is true or it is not.
The sad reality is that many people would rather live for a lie. This is not only true in this modern era but has been true since the fall. The inclusive nature of idol worshippers can be seen all throughout Scripture. During Moses’ day, the ten plagues were direct assaults on the pagan gods of the Egyptians.
During John’s day, as he wrote the book of 1 John, the Roman Empire was the ruling authority. By law, people could not practice exclusive religions. The worshipping of many gods was one of the hallmarks of the society. It was because of the exclusiveness of Christianity that the Christians were persecuted.
The Jews made up around ten percent of the population, and they were very zealous for their faith. Prior to Christianity, there was the Maccabean revolt, which would have been rather fresh during John’s day. This revolt and the ongoing religious devotion of the Jews led Rome to allowing the Jews to being exempt from the law that stated they must not practice an exclusive religion.
The book of Hebrews was actually written to a Jewish population that had converted to Christianity but was now being persecuted for it because they were no longer under the umbrella of Judaism. The temptation was there for them to turn back to Judaism, and the author of Hebrews sought to establish them in Christianity by highlighting the greatness of Christ over that which was deemed great in Judaism (angels, sacrifices, Moses, the priesthood, etc.).
Unregenerate humanity has always seen truth as being relative. The reason for this is that they have nowhere to hang their hat. They have nowhere to look to determine what is true. They run from one source of truth to the next, unless they find God or find something that makes them feel comfortable.
In this modern era, anything can be someone’s primary source of truth: the media, their own thoughts and inclinations, what “seems” right to them, or even the interpretation of scientists. Many people may pride themselves on being naturalists, atheists, or evolutionists. Some may not go that far but may simply choose to believe whatever the “sciences” label as truth.
Certainly, the sciences can and have been a great benefit to society, but they mustn’t be the ultimate source of truth. Even the scientific method that is so championed among many cannot be run through the scientific method. To go along with this simple fact comes another: Ultimately what we are left with are interpretations rather than absolute truth.
For instance, many scientists say that the geological columns that have been formed by rock layers tell us the age of bones found within the rock layers. These rock layers can be seen on the sides of large rock mountains. You can see them driving down the road at times or even at the Grand Canyon. A little stream runs through the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and the thought is that over millions and even billions of years, the stream has gradually worn its way through the rocks, creating layers over time. These rock layers appear like pancakes, with each pancake representing a different period of time from millions or even billions of years ago.
The problem is that when Mount Saint Helens erupted – in a single day – it created the same kind of rock layers. The interpretations of many are biased; therein lies the major problem. If the Christian believes in a young earth, he will not allow such an interpretation for the rock layers. But more importantly than the age of the earth, the Christian must believe that Jesus is the only way to God. Despite living in a culture where truth is so often catered toward the individual, the Christian must hold fast to the truth that is found in Christ.
Jesus is the truth
Scripture says, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is the antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same has not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also” (1 John 2:22-23). If one wants to know the truth, he must get to know Jesus. This must be the first step to developing an understanding of what is true and to embracing what is true.
Hebrews 11 tells us, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. So that things which are made seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3). While many people are scrambling around trying to make sense of the world being created out of nothing, the Christian sees with his spiritual eyes. The Word of God becomes, as it were, glasses to the Christian. As the Christian puts on his glasses, he is able to see the world around him and to know what is true and what is a lie.
Maybe it could be better stated that, as the Christian puts on Christ, Christ puts on the Christian’s glasses for him and helps him to see properly. After all, Jesus is the author and finisher of the Christian’s faith.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for helping me to see what is true and what is a lie. Thank You for revealing Christ to me and helping me to know Him as the only Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.