Origin of Truth

“In the beginning, God […]”

-Genesis 1:1

 

Truth cannot be redefined, it can only be retold.

By definition, Truth is something that has the quality or state of being true or that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality. Interestingly enough, the world contradicts itself on this very subject.

The world says “what is right for me is right for me, and what is right for you is right for you.” This is the nature of the idea of tolerance but it is not truth and here’s why:

Let’s use two people and give them a set of values and test the tolerance model.

Person A:

• Believes in a higher being.
• Believes it is wrong to hurt others
• Believes it is not ok to yell.
• Believes in correction.
• Believes in instruction
• Believes in personal responsibility.

 

Person B:

• Believes there is no need for a higher power
• Believes it is ok to hurt others if you need to
• Constantly yells
• Hates correction
• Hates instruction
• Hates personal responsibility

 

Both of these set of beliefs and choices are allowed by God and by the world. However, there is an inherent flaw in these ideals. Tolerance says that “Person A” can live happily and so can “Person B”…but only if they never meet. Truth or fact and reality, says that when Person A and Person B meet, there will be conflict and strife. While each person has the ability to choose to tolerate another person they disagree with, they have to make the conscious choice to forego their beliefs in order to build a tolerant relationship. But here’s the kicker…

When someone strongly believes IN or AGAINST something, it is because they recognize and identify with a higher moral authority, regardless of their denial of that authority.

It is impossible to be truly tolerant while choice exists.

And where did choice come from?

I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live -Deuteronomy 30:19

As illustrated in Love Redefined, God allowed choice in order to make a way for Love. Love is a choice and God is Love. Without choice, there is no love.

So logically, in order for the world to be truly tolerant, choice has to be removed. With no moral high ground, no comparison to what is good and what is evil [i.e. everything goes] then and only then can the world be truly tolerant. However, the unfortunately side-effect of removing choice is that love is also removed. A truly tolerant society, by definition, cannot love.

Where does that leave us?

The world is in rapid decline. Moral authority is being rejected and ignored. People are spouting that there are multiple sources of truth, yet they have forgotten the origin of that truth. Something isn’t true because we say it is, it is true because God says it is and He has never been wrong.

It is true that there are many sources of Truth. There are books written by authors like David Platt or John Piper that are full of truth, yet each one of these authors are simply retelling the truth of the scriptures. Their moral authority was Jesus and Jesus wrote down the scriptures through His Holy Spirit. Popes, priests, pastors, preachers, teachers, writers, speakers, have all written texts with regards to the truth in scripture. Most of them are simply retelling the truth in their own words, but fundamentally are not changing what God has already laid as a foundation. However, there are some that have twisted and changed what God said, and that is where we must be careful. When the words of God are intentionally changed, the one who changed them becomes a liar and does the work of the enemy.

Think of it this way:

God is the origin of truth because He is the origin of existence.

Jesus is fully God

The Holy Spirit is fully God

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit wrote the “autobiography” of truth and the origins of existence.

The “autobiography” is called “Scripture” or “The Bible” and this is a PRIMARY source of truth to which all other truths that come after it, must agree to.

Popes, pastors, preachers, books, writings, teachings, are all SECONDARY sources to the primary autobiography of God. Thus, if a secondary source disagrees with the primary source, it must be rejected.

Therefore, if you are a true follower of Christ, do not let anyone fool you with the line “there are other sources of truth that have equal weight to God and His scriptures” because what they are actually saying is this: “I have bought into the lie of tolerance, and either don’t have an understanding of truth, or have rejected the primary source of truth and therefore do not have a strong relationship with God.”

Another parable He set forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way. So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the darnel (weeds) appeared also. And the servants of the owner came to him and said, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have darnel shoots in it? He replied to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and weed them out? But he said, No, lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), you root up the [true] wheat along with it. Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather the darnel first and bind it in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my granary. -Matthew 13:24-30

The wheat and the tares look the same as they grow. Their initial beliefs are similar and even sound the same. The aren’t divergent enough for someone to tell the difference between them as anything other than “opinion.” However, when the wheat and weeds are full-grown, or are fully immersed into the deep-rooted beliefs they hold, the are easily weeded out. There are some [the servants] who can tell the difference between the two, but God, the origin of existence is the one who is choosing to deal with them.

Be on guard. If you find yourself saying “there are other sources of truth” catch yourself, and reconcile that with God. If you find that you are surrounded by those who say these things, renew your mind with scripture and ALWAYS be at the ready to have an answer for truth. Truth defends itself. It cannot be refuted. It can only be accepted or rejected. That is how you can distinguish against opinion and truth.

Know truth. Know the origin of truth. Know God.