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What is Truth?
October 1, 2009
Pastor Bob Nienhuis
 
What is truth?
October 1, 2009
Where do we find truth?
Does truth reside within us? Is it what we decide it is? Is it determined by majority vote or governmental edict? Can we even know what is true?
In an interview in the Toronto Star, Reba McEntire, country music star and television actress, professed her belief in reincarnation when she said, “People said I can’t be a Christian if I believe in reincarnation but I always felt God loves us so much He’d want to recycle us and not just throw us away.”
In another interview, this one in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, she even went so far as to say, “I believe . . . that I have been here before as a man. I believe I have spent time with my son Shelby before. I believe I have spent time with other people in my life before. Who knows? Maybe I’m part Buddhist.”
Then, when asked how she could reconcile her Christian faith with her belief in reincarnation, she said, “I’m sorry, but this is how I live my life, this is what I believe.”
And that makes it right? Does simply saying “this is what I believe” make it true?
There are many today who would tell us that truth is located within each individual. Conflicting beliefs are no problem because something can be true for one but not true for another since truth is in each of us. And if you challenge that belief, you are seen as wrong and narrow-minded.
Well, I have two words for you: Absolute Truth.
If each of us gets to determine what is true, we are in trouble. Conflicting beliefs cannot both be true. So how can we know what is true?
Jesus, as he prayed for his disciples, and all future followers, in the days prior to his death, prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
So, does God love us so much that he “recycles us?” No!
God’s certainly loves us. In fact, God loves us so much that “he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
But, is this a love that “recycles us”? Again, No!
The writer of Hebrews denies the idea of reincarnation when he writes, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (9:27)
No reincarnation; no living and dying and coming back as someone else. We live, we die and then we face God.
Truth does not, it CAN not, reside in each individual. Carry that to its logical end and you have nothing but confusion and anarchy.
As for me, I choose to find truth in the One who is truth, Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Cheerfully.
Pastor Bob
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