Standing for Truth

     I listen to the news each evening with a mixture of amusement and sadness.  I am amused when once again I see people try to wiggle their way around God's Word.  Take for example the federal judge in Richmond, VA who is suggesting that Narrows High School in rural Giles County take down the display of the Ten Commandments in their school or at least reduce it to six.  If they remove the first four commands which talk about God and the Sabbath, then the display won't be offensive according to the judge.  This all happened after one parent sued for separation of church and state.  Are you kidding me?  Take away four commandments and leave six?  I could not believe my ears.  Can this really be happening in a country that at one time valued religious expression and liberty?  However,  I feel sadness  for the judge who evidently is not acquainted with the warning of Scripture.  In Revelation 22:18-19, we read:  "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

     This entire episode is yet another attempt to redefine God and His Word in order to avoid "offending" anyone else.  Yet, we are offending God our Creator when we tamper with His Holy Word.  Man will pass away, fads will change, but the Word of the Lord will remain forever (Isaiah 40:8).  In addition, we are called to defend the faith by serving as His ambassadors and remaining steadfast in our convictions.
      Just the other day, our president came out in favor of Gay marriage.  While I was not surprised by this move, I was saddened.  This has been a problem for even some Christian churches to grapple with and it has caused division, but the Bible is clear on this subject.  In reading an article on Albert Mohler's blog (www.albertmohler.com) entitled "The Compassion of Truth:  Homosexuality in Biblical Perspective" he writes these words:  "The affirmation of biblical authority is thus central to the church's consideration of this issue - or any issue.  The Bible is the Word of God in written form, inerrant and infallible, inspired by the Holy Spirit and 'profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness' (2 Tim. 3:16).  This is the critical watershed:  Those churches which reject the authority of Scripture will eventually succumb to cultural pressure and accommodate their understanding of homosexuality to the spirit of the age.  Those churches that affirm, confess, and acknowledge the full authority of the Bible have no choice in this matter - we must speak a word of compassionate truth.  And that compassionate truth is this:  Homosexual acts are expressly and unconditionally forbidden by God through His Word, and such acts are an abomination to the Lord by His own declaration."  I would encourage you to read the entire article for a complete picture of what he is saying here.  There is no hatred or animosity in this position.  We are to love the sinner but hate the sin not accommodate it.

     Presently, our worldview (the Christian worldview) stands in direct opposition to the absurd twisting of God's Word so that someone who is living a sinful life can avoid any embarrassment.  All we have to do is watch the news and listen to some of the foolish arguments raised against the truth of God and His Word.  Read Romans 1:22-27 and see how the Apostle Paul speaks of the results of man's attempt at political correctness.  This is a picture of the world in which we live.
     Jesus came into this world to bear witness to the truth and as He said, "Every one that is of the truth hears my voice."  He spoke these bold words to Pilate who then disregarded the truth and washed his hands of our Lord allowing Him to be scourged and crucified.  We are all like Pilate running away from the truth until the Lord regenerates our hearts awakening us from the death sleep of sin.  When we commit ourselves to Christ, our call is to go out and speak the truth in love to those around us that they too may hear the life giving Word of God.
     There is an old country adage that says:  "He who stands for nothing will fall for everything."  Our relative world system pretends that God's truth does not exist, but the harder they try to stamp it out the more its sweetness spreads to those who are hungering and thirsting for a life built on solid ground.  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.  This is the message we must proclaim to people who are lost in the lies of this world and their own sin nature.  May we be faithful to this call and to His truth!  Selah!

 

I welcome your thoughts and comments here to encourage others.