Religious Truth
To The Editor: I started reading this Opinion section about a year ago. The sharp disagreements are a representation of the deep and dividing differences across our country. One of the most profound questions I’ve ever been asked is “If what you believe is not true, would you want to know that?” I can share my beliefs and opinions, but if what I believe and think is not actually true, I do want to know that. There is a truth about all things, including where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. There are as many personal beliefs and religions as there are people, but believing something does not make it true. If what I believe is not true, I definitely want to know that, and do not want to just have a belief that I am comfortable with, or that fits my personal thoughts and feelings, or that allows me to pursue my desires, or that helps me to blend well with others. If that is what I have, the chances that what I believe is true are about zero.
We live in a society that has evolved to a point that gives high priority to the big catch words “tolerance” and “inclusiveness”. If “right” and “wrong” are just relative terms, and each person is free to determine for themselves what is right and what is wrong, then I can see why those words would get top priority. But if there are absolutes that we can turn to in determining what is actually right or wrong, then regardless of how we feel about it, we should use that to determine what is right to tolerate or include, and what is wrong to tolerate or include. Example: A kleptomaniac has an insatiable “natural” desire and urge to steal. While we should include them as a person, and tolerate the fact that they have flaws, just as we do, we should not include and tolerate their acts of stealing as though there was nothing wrong with it. Nothing is more important than searching for and finding the actual truth about right and wrong, the purpose of life, and eternity ahead. As a matter of fact, nothing else even comes close.
What is the truth? There is one God who created all things and His word, the Bible, is where we turn to determine right and wrong, and good and evil. It either tells us directly or through principles.
God chose to create us with a free will to accept or reject Him and His word. There is either God, the superior being, or there is not. If you choose to believe there is not, then what do you believe, and what is that belief based on? If your belief is based on your personal thoughts, feelings, logic, desires, and experiences, then ask yourself what the odds are that what you believe is true, as there are billions of other people that can have their own personal belief just like you.
There are basically three kinds of people in the world – true believers and followers of Jesus Christ, professed believers that are not actually followers, and non-believers that choose to reject Him for some other belief.
Some of the big dividing issues in our country are things like abortion, homosexuality, and trans-gender. The sharp differences in these issues are between the true believers and the professed and non-believers. The true believers look to, and trust God’s word, the Bible, for the answers to these issues, while the others look to whatever they choose to believe. Because of this, arguments between these groups are futile because the basis of values, beliefs, and morals are as different as night and day. One is in the light, and one is in the dark.
The scriptures I will quote in this article will be music to the ears of true believers who are the children of God, also called the “Church”. They will be foolishness to others, as the Bible tells us… “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 The Bible refers to society as “the world” and this world is very sick. The vast majority of what we see in TV, the internet, music, social media, and news media are things of the world, not of God. Satan is having an absolute heyday in using these tools to destroy the mindsets, attitudes, and values of humans. The constant and relentless bombardment of gossip, slander, filth, and vulgarity that takes place every day has seared the consciences of people. There is so much saturation of this that we have been almost completely desensitized to evil. Things that go directly against what the Bible teaches are no longer considered bad, but the exact opposite – as totally normal and acceptable. The only “bad” that now exists are those that call out this evil and do not accept it as normal. Christians have become the “bad.” They are “intolerant” and not “inclusive.”
The Bible warns… “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20 Those who choose to conform to the world reject God’s word, and the Bible tells us why they reject it… “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me...Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.’” John 8:42-47 And as God spoke through the prophet Isaiah… “…when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.” Isaiah 66:4 The apostle Paul warned… “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through prayer and Bible study). Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 Being a Christian does not mean that I am not a sinner like everyone else. It does mean that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior, and have been saved from my sins through His goodness and grace. Being born again means His Holy Spirit now resides in me and opens my eyes to all sin and gives me a deep desire to rid my life of it. Reading, studying, and meditating on God’s word gives me the ability to discern between right and wrong, and good and evil. It gives me the knowledge to determine if an opinion is based on the solid rock foundation of His word or just a product of this sick society.
Those who embrace the Bible know that… “…the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 If you are paying attention to all that is going on in the world right now, we are seeing end times Bible prophesy unfolding. Major life storms are coming and the “mark of the beast” is likely not far off (Revelation 13: 16-18). Only those with a solid foundation in God’s word will reject that mark. The Gospel tells us who will have that foundation… “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 For those that reject Gods word, the day is coming when… “…every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11 Yes, the truth will set you free, but it has to be actual truth, based on the never-changing word of God, not relative truth based on an ever-changing world. What is your opinion based on?
Questions? Highly recommended website: Gotquestions. org I thank the Fayette County Record for always printing the section titled “Features from the Bible” and especially the subtitle “Truth in Scripture.”
Randy Gardiner La Grange