Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37, NASB).
Some have designated the time we are living in as postmodern. Postmodernism is a skeptical reaction to modernism. Modernism held that science and human reason could solve humanity’s pressing needs. In relation to postmodern thinking the physical world is all there is. Truth is relative. The brokenness that humans experience is due to believing there is absolute truth.
Recent survey asking Americans about absolute truth: A 2020 poll by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University found that 52% of evangelicals, 69% of Pentecostals/charismatics, 58% of mainline Protestants, and 69% of Catholics believe there is no absolute moral truth that applies to everyone, all the time. The individuals polled were not just randomly selected. Those polled attended church. Sadly, the opinions from those surveyed reflect culture rather than biblical truth. No wonder churches are declining as people are searching for answers to today’s problems while Christians are uncertain about so many things.
What does the Bible say about truth? Committed followers of Christ should follow God’s revelation in the Bible instead of cultural viewpoints. Here are some verses from The New American Standard Bible that believers should believe and pushback against the relativism of our time.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting (Psalm 119:160).
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD (Proverb 17:15).
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20).
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).
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (Jesus speaking in John 17:17).
Although the culture around us advocates each individual determining their own truth, as Christ-followers, we are to use the Bible as our source for truth.
As you live out your life are you listening and following the culture or the truth of God in the Bible?
Pastor Cecil Price
June 12, 2022