What is truth? A simple question posed by Pontius Pilate defined his quintessential pursuit of life. Truth, as a definition it seems, was an answer to an alluding quest of his philosophy. He asked the question not out of seeming ignorance or indifference of the man standing before him. It was his frustration. Truth had eluded his grasp until this point. And even still, with Truth in Flesh, a face to face encounter, it would continue to baffle him.
It is this question that still resounds with relevancy today. Truth is a battleground in schools, the workplace and, for the purpose of this article, the very core of Church culture. With the acceptance of relevance and the progressive culture, truth has become impossible to define. What represents my truth apparently comes from my experience and upbringing. It will differ from yours, as your life experience is different. What I view as definitely right or definitely wrong will not be the same as your established definition. In fact, the concept of right and wrong, moral values and absolute truth are grouped together as a heresy in the World’s religion.
But that is to be expected. The World is and has always been anti-God and anti-accountability. It will always be inherently indifferent to truth and to the Gospel. In fact we know that the World will only increase their intense indifference toward the things of God. It has been predicted in the Bible and His Word stands true.
But if the World is the World, then what about the Church? If we already know the formula that dark becomes darker in the end, does the Church get lighter? As evil permeates our culture will there be an equal counter culture movement from the Church? This, I'm sorry to admit, will not be the case. Evil permeates the lines of pews all across the nation just as it passes down busy city streets and back alleyways. The Church will be another casualty to the constantly advancing enemy.
Let me say here that I love the Church. But my Church represents the minority of Churches today. It's a place that is far less interested in how I feel then it is in furthering the Gospel message. A Church that offends with love and is committed to winning the lost. The other vast majority of Churches represent something entirely different. They want you to feel good about yourself. They are the 'seeker friendly' movement. Those that want members but not converts. These Churches will tell you that you have personal power in your own mind rather than talk of our total inadequacies before God. These are the places that are scared of the TRUE Gospel message and, by default, joined the enemy in their effort to neutralize the power of individual Christians. They want you busy in programs and events that have nothing to do winning lost souls but, rather, are designed to strengthen YOURSELF because you deserve to happy.
People that go to these 'modern’ churches are people that I meet every day. Of all people who SHOULD know that absolute, inerrant truth exists are the ones debating it the strongest. How dare I offend someone by telling them that they need a Savior? You just can’t go around thinking your better then anyone. That's not politically correct. You don't want to offend them do you? That would drive them further from God. Any of this sounds familiar? These are the insane ramblings of people that need to shut their mouths. They don't know what truth is or were to find it. They believe that they alone, possess the ability to overcome their problems. Their Bibles are covered in dust and the founding fathers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and William Tyndale are characters lost in the past with irrelevant teachings. Their progressive philosophy replaces established doctrine.
The dilemma all comes back to Truth. Without this, all is lost for a Christian. Truth is the compass for life. It is the single point of reference for which to be accountable; It is the standard of which all things SHOULD be measured. Losing this standard is the same as a ship losing its rudder. People wander around, adapting little bits of every religious teaching. They become spiritual 'half-breeds’. For those that can relate and already know what Truth is I will spare a lengthy definition. In short, Truth is the Bible and, without losing you, Jesus. Jesus in the flesh represents the Word (truth) becoming flesh. His teachings and life are the absolute foundation of a true Believer. Every dedicated Christian has this revelation close in their hearts.
In spite of a faltering local church and its useless drones, the true Gospel message still gets heard and accepted around the world. Real Truth, it seems, is in the grass hut Churches on the planes of Africa. It is in a group of Christians meeting in an abandoned where house in the heart of communist China. It's in the parents instructing God's principles to their children and in a life changing outreach to people in need. Where the Truth ISN'T, is in most of the flat screen adorned hallways of a mega Church. It isn't with the Pastors that preach personal growth and individual righteousness. It isn't in those 'empty suit' evangelists on TV trying to keep their ratings high and their celebrity status in check.
God prevails in the end no matter how messed up the Church gets. But His victory does not come from the masses of His lukewarm recruits. It comes from the few Christians who are committed to knowing and spreading the Truth. This is the power of God. He uses the overwhelmed, small army to defeat the vast enemy. The true Believers are working hard For God on a daily basis. All the other 'believers' will be split upon the threshing floor on the Day of Judgment. If that is you, consider the attitude of your heart and commit to God's Truth today.
What Is Truth?
It'll set ya free Baby!!!
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him.