What's the truth? Here’s something to think about. In our modern, fast-paced, stop for nothing society, not many people in America today are pondering this philosophical question.
I believe truth applied in love and compassion can solve many of this nation’s most vexing problems and struggles. The divorce rate is sky-high. Truth can help. The youth of America are struggling with identity. Truth offers solutions. The national debt threatens the future of America. Truth offers hope. High unemployment continues to dash dreams and lifestyles. Truth has answers. An easy, comfortable retirement seems like a distant dream for many. Truth shouts from above. Immoral behavior seems to be rising like a tempest in society. Truth shines a light into the darkness. Worry and anxiety consume many. Truth speaks like a trumpet.
As more and more people learn about the “other side” of Jon Cash, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to talk to people throughout Hampton Roads about the Lord, Christianity, and my personal testimony about how God changed my life. As my conversation steers through the often times choppy waters of “religious talk”, I have found some people are uncomfortable talking about “truth”. Many ask me, “What is truth?” Others sometimes say, “Well, that’s your truth!” I have some good people say to me, “What is true for you is not true to me,” or “Your truth is not my truth”.
So the question has to be raised, “Is truth relative or is it absolute?” Is it possible for something to be true for one but false for others? If there are two people staring at a blue block and one sees it as blue and another sees it as green, is the person who sees green lying or possibly color blind? Obviously, blue is blue and there is no way of making it green unless you blend it with some yellow. But a person who is color-blind is incapable of seeing the proper color. Truth, in particular the truths that the Bible teaches, are clear as day to those who humble themselves before God and are open to His ways. Yet, those who have pride ruling their hearts are “blinded” by that pride to the beauty of absolute truth that God teaches through Scripture.
I know that some people reading this may think I’m sounding somewhat judgmental. I am not qualified to judge anybody. My job as a minister is to point people toward the Truth, the Judge, and the Savior of all mankind. The Bible clearly teaches that God hides His truth and the deep secrets of the Kingdom of God from those who are haughty of heart. It also teaches that those who come to Him with meekness and an open spirit will be filled with truth, and it’s that truth that will set them free!
Is the Hampton Coliseum located in Hampton? The simple answer is “yes.” What if somebody came to you and told you that it was in Newport News? Would you argue with them? Would you yank out your map and show them their error? Maybe you would Google it and show them the satellite picture. If you really wanted to make your point, you might drive them straight there and defiantly point to the name on the sign. Yet, no matter what you do, nothing can convince them that the Coliseum is in Hampton. Why am I making this silly analogy? Truth can only be found with the Author of truth. Truth, by its very definition, is founded and sustained by God. Societies come and go. Mankind lives on earth a short time and then returns to the dust of the earth. Our lives and experiences do not determine truth for us but rather reveal our willingness to embrace His truths or discard them as archaic or outdated or even judgmental. History teaches that cultures do one of three things regarding truth.
1. A culture can embrace the truths of God and create a just society based on God’s laws through a thoughtful interpretation of the scriptures. Most of our founding fathers were Christians and proved this was possible through the divinely inspired documents of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.
2. A society can embrace partial truth and create a society where the laws of the land may or may not be just based on the leaders currently in office. People living in this culture have varied beliefs and there is much division and disagreements about religion, truth, and God’s place in society. I believe we live in this type of culture today. For many, truth is relative and not absolute.
3. A nation can completely turn its back on God and His truth. Nazi Germany did this to the destruction of millions of innocent lives. The former Soviet Union kicked God out of the country through their Communist system of lies and propaganda. Tens of millions were murdered as a result. When God and truth are eradicated from a nation, evil prospers and spreads like a wildfire.
America has transitioned from the first society after the War of Independence to the second society today. Jesus Christ said, “A kingdom divided amongst itself cannot stand.” We live today in a country divided by religion and politics. There are those who seek the truth and find life and there are those who don’t seek truth and find emptiness. Truth seems to be a dividing line among the masses with the two sides taking their places and drawing lines in the sand. While there have always been disagreements about how to run the country and what is right and wrong, those arguments today have been enflamed by the passion on both sides who believe they are correct in their thinking. Truth is absolute and I believe the source of all truth is found in the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. What other book or document claims to be authored by God Himself?
I love to people watch. I can sit back for an hour at a mall and just watch people as they walk by. I love to watch their faces and in particular, look into their eyes. I was recently at the Peninsula Town Center waiting for my son to finish some indoor skateboarding. After getting bored in the shop I decided to sit outside in the cold and watch people. And that’s when it hit me. How many of these people are really happy with their lives? Their steps seemed busy, their faces were downcast and sullen and smiles were few and far between. I wondered if more people in America had faith in God, would we see more smiles?
I know that faith brings more joy into your life. Faith brings more meaning into your walk on earth. ’m convinced that faith makes a heart that was hard and angry shine with excitement about their future.
What is faith? In particular, what does it mean to have faith in God? Over the past decade of ministry, I have found a profound lack of understanding among church and un-churched folk about the real definition and as importantly, the application of faith in their lives.
Let’s start with what faith is not. Faith is not an intellectual understanding of God. Anybody can understand God with their minds but never have the kind of faith that pleases the Lord. If you doubt this premise, ask yourself this question. Do the demons in the spirit world know about God? Do they understand who He is? Of course, the answer is a resounding, “Yes.” No theologian would ever suggest that demons are going to go to heaven. In Nazi Germany, most residents knew who Hitler was and most (but certainly not all) knew his tactics were wrong and evil; yet some chose to follow him and others chose not to and often times paid for it with their lives. Those who placed their faith in Hitler joined the cause for world domination.
Faith is not church attendance. Church attendance results from our faith or leads us to faith in God but it is not faith. Many people running from true faith wind up in church without ever finding the kind of faith that can move mountains, the kind of faith that can radically change a life, and the type of faith that can bring peace and joy through the worst of storms. Billy Graham stated years ago that he feared more than 50% of people in church fell into this category.
Faith is not a feeling. Faith can affect our feelings but the raw theological meaning of faith is far greater than the momentary feelings that can change like the wind. I believe Americans can place way too much stock on feelings. In marriages today, some that “lose that loving feeling” simply cut the cords and get a divorce. Love is not a feeling but a choice. Love is a commitment when the feelings and honeymoon are a distant memory. Faith and love are powerful connecting forces that can radically alter our way of thinking and the way we act.
Imagine you are driving in a car on a foreign road with no cars in sight. You come upon a rickety bridge and slam on the brakes. You get out of the car and carefully examine the structure. Should you cross or turn around? Is it strong enough to hold your car? Do you want to take the chance? Because you value your life and you are not sure, you simply turn around and find another way to your destination. You see, you didn’t have faith in the bridge. Faith is the motivating factor behind what you do in your life. It is the life-force in your heart that determines what decisions you make for you and your family’s future.
At its core, faith from your heart, spirit and soul is what makes you who you are. Your faith is what causes you to act a certain way, marry who you marry, vote for who your trust, and spend money the way you choose. In essence, faith is an action verb. It’s the very nerve-center of who you are as a human being. Faith is not invisible. What you do defines your faith.
Faith in God is an attitude of the heart. Faith in God means trusting God. You place your undying love and gratitude in the Lord’s hands. I love Carrie Underwood’s music. Her song, “Jesus Take The Wheel” is one of my favorite songs. I view it as a spiritual song. You can use the link to hear the song. Faith is allowing the Lord to take the wheel of your life and direct your paths across every bridge, no matter the condition, that He wants you to cross!
