Should we hold to absolute truth?
What is absolute truth? It is defined as inflexible reality: fixed, invariable, unalterable facts.
We live in an age of relativism where everyone is encouraged to have their own truth because what is true for one may not be true for another. And unless you accept everyone's truth as truth and let go of absolute truth, you are viewed as intolerant and judgmental. Why? Because what is true for someone isn't necessarily valid for someone else, and we can't impose "our" absolute truth on others. But is that correct? Is truth relative? Is "truth" that changes from one person to the next and becomes "your" truth the truth or simply different opinions and perceptions?
There are absolute truths in life. For example, 1+1 always equals 2. Oranges are oranges and not apples. And squares are not circles and vice versa. Why are they absolute truths? Because they are inflexible realities. They are fixed. They don't vary and can't be altered, no matter our opinion. Just because I feel like a square is a circle doesn't make it so. Our feelings don't determine the truth of something. This relative truth has crossed over into Christianity. And some allow their feelings to determine what they proclaim as "truth" about God. And typically, those 'feelings' are rooted in wounds. That has caused us to let go of any absolutes in our life. They are not truths but rather wounded, distorted perceptions that tell our hearts, "this is your truth!"
The writer of Hebrews said in chapter 2, verse 1, that we are to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. This verb gives heed is a present infinitive that implies a continual engagement on our part. What are the things we have heard that we are to continually give heed to?
Chapter 1 verses 1-3: God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
This is absolute truth. God's final word to humanity is spoken to us by the Son. He is the sum of every utterance of God (Mirror Bible). And in verse 8, the Father says of the Son, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." He calls the Son God. And in verse 10, He also says of the Son, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands." He calls Him Lord and Creator. He is the MUCH MORE of what we've understood about ourselves, our world, and God!! This is Truth. It is not "my truth," and it is not true because we believe it or agree with it. It is ABSOLUTE TRUTH spoken by God. What is the absolute truth: Jesus, the Son of God, is God, Lord, and Creator.
THIS is what the writer of Hebrews said we have heard and are to continually engage in abundantly heeding. We are to give it our full attention. The word used is prosecho, meaning a face-to-face echo! Abba says, "My Son, Jesus, the Christ, is God. He is Lord and Creator of ALL." And Hebrews 6 tells us that our souls our anchored within the innermost courts of God's immediate presence (Mirror Bible).
Relative truth causes us to drift away, to be swept up in the current of what our wounded hearts or our faulty perceptions tell us is truth. Our feelings, emotions, thoughts, and perceptions are anchored securely and steadfast in His face-to-face echo IN us that tells us not only the absolute truth of who He is but who we are IN Him. He is not just our older brother, a created being, a historical man, or one who got it right with God and is our model to follow. HE IS Jesus, the Son of God, the Christ, Lord, and Creator of All! He is MUCH MORE than we've understood. And He is The Absolute Truth IN us! And our continual engagement in His face-to-face echo IN us of who He is keeps us from drifting away with the strong currents of our wounded perceptions.
Why is absolute truth important? Because absolute truth is always unchangeable and unalterable. And only He who is Truth has the power to heal our wounded hearts and change our faulty, distorted perceptions so that we can grow IN Christ and in our understanding of who we are.
