Dear church,
Everyone is contending for truth. While relativistic thinkers have been around for thousands of years, perhaps they have never been so widespread. One of the attacks the secular media and those antagonistic toward the Church bring on a consistent basis goes something like, “Christians are so narrow-minded for making absolute truth claims.” What are we supposed to do?
If we believe the words of the Bible, not only is truth knowable, but it, or should I say He, is personal. In John 14:6-7 Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Isn’t that amazing? We can see and know truth!
We can also read truth. Perhaps that does not seem like a controversial statement around our church, but try telling many of your neighbors or coworkers that and see what kinds of reactions you receive. King David says, “The sum of your word is truth” in Psalm 119:160 and Jesus says, “Your word is truth” in John 17:17. If we can read the truth and know the truth, we are compelled to proclaim the truth; namely, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When we gather this Sunday morning, we will focus on another commitment that defines our church: truth. As a church, we are committed to studying, teaching, and submitting to the truth of God. This is not something that comes easily to us. In the face of resistance and many opposing viewpoints, we must contend for truth. We are not just committed to this for ourselves, but for the hundreds and thousands of people in our lives and the billions of people around the world who do not know the Truth.
This Sunday, we will talk about the nature of truth, but it will not be a philosophical time for distant ideas. We will proclaim and celebrate the nearness of the God of truth in Jesus Christ. He is knowable and He is truth. Truth can be known and it is essential to life that we know Him. I hope you will join me.
For the sake of His name,
Pastor Adam