Dwight Fletcher | Three things that make absolute truth worth standing on

Over the past two weeks, we have been discussing the war for truth. As Christians and as people, we are bombarded directly and indirectly with a relentless campaign to affect the way we think. So, it is essential that we get a grasp of absolute truth, believe it and live it, because today the world is trying to water-down, twist, and change truth into whatever people want it to be.

But, for something to be true, there must be a verified and indisputable nature to it. Truth is definitive and, if we don’t become critical thinkers, we will be sucked into falsehood.

Our faith is based on absolute truth. God’s truth is true. As Christians today there can only be one definition of Truth, one source of Truth. The plumb line is found in the person of Jesus Christ and in the Word that He left us, His Bible. And it is the only solid ground in a world of shifting sand. But don’t just take my word for it, let’s consider today, “What makes God’s truth dependable?”

1. His truth is constant

God says in Malachi 3:6 (NIV), “I the Lord do not change …” and Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.

Absolute truth cannot simply change because circumstances change. This is encouragement for us because we live in a world where people are constantly being told to update their beliefs. There is constant pressure to “move with the times”, and it can be overwhelming to try to keep up.

But God does not need to update His truth. That can be difficult when God’s Word challenges our choices, relationships, ambitions or lifestyle. But a truth that changes whenever it feels uncomfortable is not much of a foundation.

2. His truth is objective

Absolute truth does not play favourites or pick sides. This is unlike the idea of relative truth where every individual becomes the authority on what is right and wrong. When that happens, we are left with competing standards. One person says something is acceptable. Another says it is wrong. Who decides?

Too often, it’s the person with the loudest voice, the largest platform or the greatest power. When you’re on the opposing side of this person, you will feel most grateful for an objective truth. God’s truth gives us a standard that exists beyond all of us.

3. Truth will prevail

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35 NIV). Isaiah wrote, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8 NIV).

That should give us confidence. As Christians, we have a responsibility to know and defend the truth. But, ultimately, truth does not need us to make it true. God’s truth will still be standing when the latest trend has passed, and the loudest voices have moved on to something else.

This does not mean we become arrogant or refuse to listen to anyone who disagrees with us. Quite the opposite. We should be humble enough to examine our own thinking.

The question is whether we are willing to hold everything, including our own opinions, up against the truth of God’s Word.

And perhaps that leads us to an uncomfortable question: If God’s truth is so dependable, why are we often so tempted to resist it? We will discuss this next week.