Everyone has their own truth. We are a culture overrun by “truth.” There is no shortage of “truth.” (Sidenote: “truth” means– it aint real truth.)
We have become tolerant of “truth.” The norm is now acceptance of “truth.” Acceptance by a society that idolizes “truth.” A society that normalizes a new normal run by “truth.” And that new normal is whatever we feel like. “Truth” is whatever “feels” right. (So, sit quietly and accept that “truth.”)
But you know what tolerance is? A conviction that stems from no belief, no faith. There is no truth found in tolerance. Tolerance is the slow, dark, wide path to destruction.
You know who was not tolerant at all…God.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.’” (John 14:6)
Geez! That’s not very tolerant. What about my truth Jesus! Let me tell you about my truth Jesus…its really good, everyone else I talk to likes it!
Has social acceptance become the new doctrine? Have we normalized personal “truth?” Is tolerating social norms the new “truth” of acceptance in today’s society?
What then has become of God’s objective Truth? God’s Truth is True whether we believe it or not. Hard question…Do you truly believe God’s Truth? Do you believe Jesus is Truth?
And not only is God’s Truth the only REAL Truth, but it is also clear.
In the ever-expanding sphere of tolerance and acceptance, a vast array of “lenses” has been created. Lenses that interpret God’s Truth to fit a more tolerant and accepting society. Lenses that seek to make clear Truth more palatable to a culture overrun by worldly “truth.” Lenses that reshape God’s Truth in order to mold and form a new “idol” of worship.
Worship of self. Worship of self-truth.
Why?
Maybe the Truth God makes clear to us is not what we want to hear. Maybe the Truth God makes clear does not fit the god we have created in our own pursuit of “truth.”
God’s Word is clear. God is not an author of confusion. God wants all to be saved. Yes, there are some challenging verses in Scripture. But Scripture interprets Scripture. And what is unclear in one portion of God’s Word is made clear in another part.
So, what has happened? Worldly “truth” and ideologies have been created from the unclear passages while ignoring or explaining away the clear passages…explained away by use of the unclear passages!
Why?
We do not want to hear the Truth. God’s Truth lessons our own “truth.”
If we create historical narratives… If we create “lenses” of interpretation… If we seek a spectrum of truth… If we pursue self instead of obedience… we lesson the very Word of God. By lessoning the Word of God, self can be elevated.
What is the answer? Simple…Glad you asked!
What does God’s Word ACTUALLY say? We must get back to that.
We must answer questions with the very Word of God.
How often do we hear in response to a question… “Let’s see what God says about that.” Not very often!
Answers are being formed from historical narratives or lenses of interpretation. Why!? Why are we NOT looking at the very Word of God?
What does God’s Truth ACTUALLY say? That must be the norm.
Funny thing about the Reformation. It has been painted as a radical change. Well, in a sense it was. But only because of the immense drift away from what God’s Word was ACTUALLY saying! The Reformation brought people back to asking…What does God’s Word ACTUALLY say!
We must get back to reading God’s Word in its literal form. What does it LITERALLY say!?
God’s Word is meant for every believer no matter the time or place in which they live.
Let us seek the Truth God has blessed us with.
Let us seek Truth… and rid the world of “truth.”
Let pray for God’s Word to become the only TRUTH in our lives!
Blessings,
Pastor Jason Pauley
