Where Is Truth???

Have you ever read something or watched a video and wondered if it was really true?

People can write things and make them sound believable. They can write things that contain partial truth. At one time a published book was generally regarded as credible. After all, many people and great expense would go into the process. If it were not true, someone involved would surely notice. Yet, today anyone can publish at little or no expense via electronic blogs or on-demand publishing; and they can say anything they wish.

How many reports/stories have circulated on social media as true, yet were later found to be fabrications or half-truths? Sometimes people innocently say things they believe, not knowing that they are wrong. Sometimes people foolishly ‘share’ stories that they want to believe, yet without ever checking to see if they are factual. Sometimes, people are naïve and believe stories that were meant for entertainment. (Haha! Gotcha!)

For only $50 more our family photographer was able to take the face of one of our daughters from one photo and replace her crying face in a more preferable setting. Photographs have been ’doctored’ for years, but now just about anyone can afford software to manipulate the truth.

Governments go to great lengths to stay one step ahead of counterfeiters. Yet, the sophisticated equipment and software available today make it possible for the makers of funny money to win from time to time.

Trying to discover truth may seem elusive and exhausting, but the issue has been around for a long time. Idolatry was an early face of falsehood. And then there were false prophets.

It is almost amusing to read about the Old Testament prophet Macaiah. He was a prophet of God. However, the king of Israel did not like him because his words were never favorable. Under pressure from the king of Judah Macaiah was called upon to reveal God’s word. Before appearing before the kings, he was informed that the other prophets had assured the king of Israel victory in battle. (Hint, hint!)

Macaiah came before the two kings and gave his blessing: Success in battle...Go! Fight! Win!

Then the king of Israel scolded:

How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?

The prophet then spoke...and disagreed with the other prophets...yet his words were actually true. (Read this in 1 Kings 22:13-23.)

Somehow the king knew that Micaiah was not being truthful at first, so he insisted on the truth. The king of Israel KNEW that Micaiah would speak the truth.

One can only imagine why Micaiah was agreeable to the king at first. Whatever the case, it is illuminating that the king of Israel accepted two certainties:

• Truth existed; and 
• Truth could be known. 

The king might have been frustrated with truth; he might have chosen to ignore truth; but he knew that there was such a thing as truth and he knew that truth was knowable.

We live at a time when truth is obscured, hidden, questioned, and doubted. Yet, truth really exists and truth is still knowable.

The sum of Your word is truth.
—Psalm 119:160

Truth is revealed in God's Word! Get truth!

Mark Stinnett

What DID Jesus Do?

A number of years we saw what seemed to be a fad: WWJD bracelets, stickers, buttons, etc. I think it was more than a fad; it is still talked about today. Regardless, the acronym stood for a very valuable and sobering question: What Would Jesus Do?

The idea was simple. Before deciding, speaking, or acting, ask yourself the simple question: What would Jesus do?

• Would He go where you were about to go?
• Would He say what you were about to say?
• Would He do what you were about to do?

How would He think, decide, evaluate???

If you could figure out what Jesus would do, then you had your answer on where to go, what to say, what to do. If you could determine the thinking and actions of Jesus and apply it to your choices and situations, then you could have confidence in your conclusions.

But what if you were not really sure what Jesus would do?

The reason I ask stems from a curious experience I had. Accompanying a good friend on one occasion our conversation turned toward an area in which he needed to make a decision. His quick response was something like, “WWJD, I think Jesus would approve.”
His response was trite and playful. I even remember a little chuckle as he gave himself approval.

That’s what I saw; he had given himself approval of something he wanted to do. Without serious reflection on Jesus, he used Jesus as a kind of prop to approve his desire. In reality he had answered a different question: How do I think Jesus would think?

What is the point of all this?

The question “What would Jesus do” has substance ONLY IF the answer is based on what Jesus actually did and what Jesus actually taught. A person might think that Jesus would do or approve something. However, if their thinking is not tested by what Jesus actually did and taught, it is as subjective as asking: “What do I think I should do?”

True followers of Jesus must approach discipleship with a keen eye on what Jesus actually did.

“...So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” 
—John 14:31

“Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.’” 
—John 5:19

“For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.” 
—John 12:49-50

Jesus, without fail, submitted to the will of God the Father. He did not evaluate things on the basis of what He thought God wanted Him to do, He did exactly as the Father instructed.

In our Christian walk we must guard against personal subjective thinking and desires as guides masked by religious jargon. Rather, we must give careful consideration to what Jesus actually did; what Jesus actually said.

May we resolve to do exactly the Father’s will. 

That’s what Jesus did.

Mark Stinnett

My Generation Did Not Have the Answer! What About Yours?

Robert Redford, a wildly famous actor of yesteryear, starred in a 1972 movie titled “The Candidate.” As I recall, Redford played a lawyer who was courted and swayed by a powerful political party to run against a well-respected incumbent Senator. The movie was all about the political race, and viewers were satisfied when the handsome and charismatic character played by Redford **WON** the election! 

Just before the credits, amid an uproarious celebration, the camera follows our hero, The Candidate, as he weaves through his adoring crowd of supporters trying to find someone, anyone who can answer his urgent question…”What do I do now?” 

In 1975 Diana Ross sang a haunting song from the movie “Mahogany” titled “Do You Know Where You’re Going To?” The song was just that, a question with no answer.

There are many other examples from my youth , and I would imagine that the same could be said about your generation, whenever it was; even now. All generations seem to ask the same questions: “Where am I going?” and “What do I do now?” 

It is the voice of despair in those who have no answers. They can only ask questions. 

Sometimes the answer-less questions are hidden by clever sayings that mask reality, like: “It’s all about the journey, not the destination.” 

That’s great if you really don’t know where life is taking you; or if you sell cars; or if you explore the galaxy in the Star Ship Enterprise. However, a positive twist, a marketing plan, a space fantasy; these do not answer life’s questions. For many people, despair lingers.

Even popular church leaders have jumped on the bandwagon of 'the journey' thinking. They say that Christians ought to stop thinking about and arguing about one's eternal destination: heaven or hell. Such conversations are too divisive, they say; we all just need to work together to feed and clothe the world. 

Yet, in every generation, even entertainers are asking riveting questions. They represent the keen awareness of our culture that it IS important to know where the journey ends. So, feed and clothe the world, but to what end??? 

As Christians we must not follow popular preachers on an aimless journey or wallow in despair not knowing where we are going or what to do next. We live lives of substance every day (the journey), and we are headed somewhere wonderful (the destination). We KNOW this because of the declarations and promises of God! The Apostle Paul captured it well as he wrote:

I have fought the good faith, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.   --2 Timothy 4:7-8

‘Fighting the good fight,’ ‘finishing the course,’ and ‘keeping the faith’ all describe Paul’s critically important journey. Yet, the journey was not his only focus. The ‘crown of righteousness’ described his destination. While Paul used figurative language to describe his journey and destination, he make it clear that the destination is real and awaits all those who love Christ. God has revealed to us in His word both ‘where we’re going to’ and ‘what to do now.’

Set your eyes on heaven; keep the faith!

Mark Stinnett

What If I'm Wrong?

What if I’ve gotten it wrong?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? It is a question that might follow an important decision at your place of work. It might take a slightly different form when a person has second thoughts about his college choice, career choice, or even his/her choice of a mate.

Have you ever asked yourself this question in reference to your religious beliefs? What if I’m wrong?

I’m not promoting doubt. I do not want to lead you to question your faith. But you might also consider whether you have it all figured out completely and absolutely.

There are many passages that I think I understand, but I am constantly going back to refine my understanding. I recognize that I can be wrong, even when I have been strongly convinced in the past. I probe the scriptures carefully to see if I’ve missed something.

I have had religious conversations with believers who do not agree with me doctrinally. I have had religious conversations with people who have religious beliefs, but do not accept the Bible as I do. I have conversed with a couple of atheists about God and religion.

I have found these people to be intelligent individuals with good intentions and deep convictions. They often present compelling thoughts about life, and death, and the world we live in. What if I’ve gotten some things wrong!?

Two passages help keep my feet on the ground:

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
—Proverbs 14:12

I recognize there are many influences that can affect my thinking and my decisions. I recognize that I am ignorant of many things. (Ignorance means that I just don’t know, not that I’m stupid.) My way (my thinking) seems right, because I know only what I know. My patterns of thought and my value system are what I use to make decisions. For that reason, I really need help. God’s word is where I turn. He sees far more than and far beyond what I can see.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
—2 Timothy 3:16-17

This passage tells me that turning to God’s word makes sense. It is trustworthy and it gives me exactly what I need to get along in this life and prepare for life with God after this life.

I find additional encouragement when I read about the man Job. He experienced sudden hardship and misery. He had pressing questions about life and his circumstances. Yet, in the end, he received no explanation, no answers to his questions. Rather, God presented to Job His divine power and holiness as Creator. God basically told Job, “I am your Creator. Knowing that is enough.” Job bowed.

Finally, I find assurance in knowing that God is in the transformation business. That means that I am in a constant state of change, becoming more and more what God wants me to be. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Only God can say, “I Am.”

“Am I wrong?” is a question I never take lightly. It is sobering and it reminds me to be patient with others as they are being transformed by God. Still, it is important to strive to be right.

Now...go back to the beginning and read this as if you wrote it; as if 'you' are the one writing “I.” We both need this challenging encouragement.

Mark Stinnett