Does the truth matter anymore?

11/13/06 11:21 AM
The Apostle Paul warned that "the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (II Tim. 4:3-4). So I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise...

that German scholars have unveiled a "politically correct" Bible in order to present a "more just language" for groups such as feminists and homosexuals.

I recently read that if you were to go to the average university campus today and ask students if they know a verse of Scripture, most would say that they do. If you had asked 10 or 15 years ago, most would have quoted John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Practically everybody knew that verse then.

But today, most would reply with, “Judge not that you be not judged.” The whole focus has changed. Ten or 15 years ago the focus was on the truth of God’s love. But today, surveys reveal that practically everyone is convinced that there is no absolute truth. So the emphasis has switched from truth to tolerance.

The "tolerance gospel" has given rise to the popular (but deadly) idea that you have "your truth" and I have "my truth" and all roads lead to heaven, and we could all get along if we would just accept everybody. Is that true? Does it really not matter what you believe? Do all roads (of belief and practice) lead to heaven? Should we just tolerate and accept everything that comes down the pike without any discernment?

It depends on whether you accept the Bible.

The Bible says of Christ that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) In John 14:6 Jesus was very clear when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

That has caused some in our culture to say, "Hey, that's not very tolerant... that's exclusive!" -Yes it is. In fact, I cannot preach the New Testament Gospel and not be exclusive.

  • "Well, that's pretty narrow-minded!" -Right again! In Matt. 7:13-14 Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

  • "Now, that's just being down right close-minded!" -Absolutely! Jesus Christ has shut my mind to certain things. Col. 2:8 says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." I've come to Jesus and found the truth and that truth has set me free!

  • "For crying out loud, you're brainwashed!" -Yes! He's washed my brain and He's washed my soul! Again, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
So in that way, it’s true, the truth is exclusive. But the good news is that the truth is also very INCLUSIVE! No matter what social background, ethnic background, educational background – none of those distinctions matter. God’s love is available to absolutely everyone who will come to Him in faith:

“For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His one and only Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“As the Scripture says, ‘ANYONE who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses ALL who call on Him, for, ‘EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)