| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net What's it all about Alfie? or, Whoda thunk it? Whether or not you realize it, we come from a culture of Traditionalism. Some think this antiquated and foolish, but the real problem for them is in the Authority it represents. In Traditionalism, God determines truth. In the 60s we shifted to Modernism which declared that Science determines truth. Consequently, there were many court rulings that were overtly anti God -- Roe v Wade, Prayer in school, etc. Local communities began to determine moral values - ie - What is and is not porn? Anyway, about the late 80s, people recognized the fact that Science couldn't answer the fundamental questions of life, so we came up with Post Modernism which basically states "There is No Truth". It's all relative. It's up to you. In a George Barna poll, 2/3 of adults and 4/5 of teens said there are no absolute truths. Nugget: This doesn't apply to say - banking or flying a jet, but only to moral values and religion. The Dilemma: Satan (the father of lies) wants the world to believe there are no objective moral truths, while the Church has been commissioned to Protect (defend) and proclaim God's truths. (see Jude 3). In 2nd Timothy 2:15, the Scriptures are called: "the Word of Truth". What has this to do with Christmas? Well, as far as the world is concerned, Christmas has no absolute meaning. It is whatever you want it to be. What's comfortable for you, is your truth. Watch any talk show, as celebrities espouse in tolerant socially acceptable, politically correct terms, that Christmas is to be tailored to all, and can mean (in many cases) anything but celebrating the birth of Christ. Otherwise, it is tantamount to hate speech as Jesus is exclusive - John 14:6. So what then, is Truth? Let's look at a few characteristics of Truth: 1) Truth is Discovered, not Created. (say that again to yourself) The opposition keeps trying to create truth. Lucy, (the worshiped missing link) was created out of two bones. A toe, and I believe a tibia found a mile and a half apart, in different strata. Yet they built an attractive little girl standing upright with long straight hair, stood her in the Smithsonian where they parade hundreds of thousands of our kids by her annually, and proclaim her as proof of evolution. 2) Truth is consistent. If not, you can just add the missing ingredient which is Billions and Billions of years. Then, a newt can become an opossum. 3) Truth can be known: John 8:32 = "and ye shall know the Truth" 4) Truth brings Freedom: "And the Truth shall make you free". One thing I want you to remember about Christmas is that Jesus was born or, The Incarnation. "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice". John 18:37. Do you hear what I hear? Merry Christmas. |
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