Truth! What Do You Believe?
Do not let someone else tell you what truth is. This is especially important now that the 2020 Presidential election is upon us. This is one election year which is very important to consider the goals of each candidate and how those goals impact freedom of speech and religion - will I still have those freedoms after the election? One party clearly states an America with Marxism/ Socialism. The question must be asked, is a socialist one world government what I want? Have you wondered why every common citizen wants out of their socialist country? What you believe to be true and accept as truth will impact your life now and your eternity. Ultimately, I make the choice as to what I accept as truth. That decision will determine my place of residence when I die. Will I believe as the godless Marxist and evolutionist that physical death is the end? Will I believe the promise of Christ Jesus that if I accept His Gift I will live with Him forever or refuse His Gift and spend eternity separated from God - each person must make that choice (the default is refusing God's offered redemption)? I personally would want to make sure I do my homework now and make sure I make the right decision of Truth. How serious are you about truth? Are you 100% sure you have the correct truth?
Below are some highlights of my journey for truth. More detail can be found reading my other posts:
https://pilgrimageoftruth.wordpress.com/
What is Truth? Is Truth knowable or relative? What do you say when someone states that "there is no absolute truth"? Dr. Frank Turek says in response, "Is that absolutely true?", or there is no truth, "is that true"? These statements are as D.r Frank Turek says are self defeating.
I looked up the difference between truth and fact. One link states, in simple terms, facts are objective and truth is subjective? I was not surprised with that answer, especially in the 21st century. However, when I looked at the definitions of "truth" I found "fact" listed as below:
- A) the quality or state of being true.
- B) that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
- C) a fact or belief that is accepted as true.
I conclude that the attempt to separate Truth and fact is a ploy to mislead. Do not buy their product, lie, it is deadly!
John 16:12–15 (ESV)
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Why is there such a claim that one cannot know truth or that truth is relative? Although I cannot speak for each person I believe the main reason for truth evaders is to evade accountability for their actions. If there is no truth, how could I be judged for doing something "wrong".
I cannot force someone to accept my understanding of truth but the following is my journey to understanding "truth". There are two references I use that many will not accept or read and that is Creator God and God's Word, the Bible. In the past people knew there was a being who put the universe in order. Since then pride and rebellion kicked in. Now the trend is to ignore both God and the Bible. To me the obvious reason is again, that if I deny both I am not accountable to anything. It is interesting that I can state the sun does not exist despite the fact that I can see it and experience the result of staying out in the sun too long - sun burn!
Why am I convinced that the Bible is Truth and God exists?
When I was younger my answer contained the word "faith". Someone close to me, with the same upbringing, [in words] ripped my "faith" apart. Unfortunately, I had never heard of the word apologetics. Why did the church we each attended not speak of logic and apologetics? My first question started my journey when I asked my mother where God came from. The next major fork on my journey was doubt that evolution was true. Two professors while attending a school of mines cast doubt on my years of evolution at public school. Evolution lost after much research.
Several years ago, I took the class "I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist', lead by Dr. Frank Turek. Although the class may not make me a debater, I do feel I have enough of the basics to defend Truth and my Christian Faith. Did that someone take a class in high school I was not aware of? I contend that someone picked up anti-God information (clichés) from friends. When added to the indoctrination of Evolution in public school, apparently the die was cast. I determined I was lied to for 12 years.
Here is a link to a testimony of someone who decided to change his truth:
https://www.reddit.com/user/Colonel_Don_Wilson/comments/gr8wr4/an_excuse_of_not_knowing_god/
Hebrews 8:10–12 (ESV)
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 10:15–16 (ESV)
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
Jeremiah 31:33
John 18:36–38 (ESV) "what is truth?"
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.
John 8:43–47 (ESV)
43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
John 14:6–7 (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
225 ἀλήθεια [aletheia /al·ay·thi·a/] n f. From 227; TDNT 1:232; TDNTA 37; GK 237; 110 occurrences; AV translates as “truth” 107 times, “truly + 1909” once, “true” once, and “verity” once. 1 objectively. 1A what is true in any matter under consideration. 1A1 truly, in truth, according to truth.
Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1995 : n. pag. Print.
John 16:12–15 (ESV)
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Romans 2:12–16 (ESV) God’s Judgment and the Law
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
There are never ending debates and arguments regarding the word truth; if it exists and what it means or implies. Do I accept some common outcomes based on truth or fact? Yes, of course. For example, I know that without a parachute, rope or other assistance, if I walk off a 1000 foot cliff I will fall to my death. The term for the result is gravity which I cannot see. You can argue Truth all you want, put your belief (truth) to the test and walk over the cliff. Truth will become known immediately but too late to change your truth. Someone came up with the name gravity and provided properties that define it. I would say that everyone I know readily accepted gravity as fact or truth. Regardless of how numbers or mathematics came to be, employers and banks know that 2+2=4; axiom, fact, truth or definition, does it matter? Everyone who trades or works accepts what men and women postulated about numbers - how else can a rover be sent to the Mars surface? It appears that some truths are readily accepted. At one time the world knew that a Creator put the Universe in motion, then they thought they could explain creation with science alone and removed God from the equation. These Man contrived ideas were quickly adopted as true. Then the world became such a peaceful place (NOT)! In fact the world is more violent and chaotic! That is what happens when "truth" is redefined or removed. Mankind now thinks they will fix it with one world government (Nimrodism) without God again.
2 Thessalonians 2:7–12 (ESV)
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I desire Truth and Light, not a strong delusion, what about you?
