The Faith Once Delivered

Peggy Lee had a popular hit tune where she sang about her disappointment with life. As she gradually obtained all the rewards of life and found them to be empty and meaningless, she asked, “Is that all there is?”  Certainly, if that is all there is then life is a big disappointment. 

Even Paul in 1 Cor 15:19 states, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Is there more then?  Are there such things as, consistency, absolutes, or life after death?  Is there a meaning, a purpose, or more to life than what is obvious from our five senses?  Is there a solid foundation upon which we can base our life? Actually, are we not asking the same question using different words?  Isn’t it truth that we are seeking? Following is a series of absolutes that I believe, because I have found them to be true, and they have given me a solid foundation for my belief system and direction in life.  Perhaps you could determine some for yourself.

Shouldn’t we first be sure we understand what we are asking?  Truth to some may not be truth to others. Some say that, as long as it’s true for you, then it’s true. If you perceive it to be so then it is so, or is it?  Can something be true for me but not true for you?  Shouldn’t truth be consistent for all, or is truth relative? 

Can we create our own truth?  Is there some inherent power in the nature of a strongly held belief that makes it so?  Is something true because you believe it or do you believe it because it’s true?  Belief based on belief alone has no foundation. Nothing is more resistant to a new truth than an old error.

Absolute truth exists independent of what anyone thinks or feels about it.  Belief does not determine reality; reality exists and is true apart from belief.

Absolute truth is real for all people, for all time, for all places and for any situation.  It is not wishful thinking masquerading as faith.

There comes a time in everyone’s life for a reevaluation of the sacred cows hidden deep in their core beliefs.  Why do you believe the things you do?  Have you proved them?  Could you defend them, explain them; do you live them?  Let’s start at the beginning.

The first absolute: 

Truth: the foundation of all absolutes, pure and unadulterated.  Accept no substitute.

Absolutes should be evaluated by gathering all the evidence available, both pro and con, before accepting it as a truth.  Reevaluation should be done if verifiable new evidence is presented, otherwise growth may be stymied. 

Any absolutes, like facts, beliefs or truths, must be proved and accepted by the individual or it will forever be suspect.  I can’t prove anything to you; you can’t prove anything to me.  Evidence can be provided, but the acceptance or rejection of it is up to the individual. 

Therefore, the responsibility of obtaining, verifying, and evaluating the evidence is, of necessity, with the individual.  The resulting consequence of any decisions made is theirs also. Again, are your absolutes true because you believe them, or do you believe them because they are true?  Just why do you believe what you believe?  There are truths, there are lies masquerading as truths, there are honest misconceptions and there are those that don’t know or care about the difference. Hitler proved that if you repeat a lie often enough, even those who knew it was a lie would begin to believe it.  Also that the bigger the lie the more believable it becomes. We are encouraged to rightly divide the word of truth (2Tim 2:15). The first absolute provides the standard for all others; if you agree let’s go to my next absolute.

The second absolute: 

Is there an absolute supreme God that created all things, a first cause?

Some say God is beyond scientific proof, however He is not beyond rational thinking.  Some examples from accepted rules of scientific evidence are:

1.Scientists can’t see black holes but by their effect on other planets they know they are there.  Neither do we see wind but we know that it is there.  Because we don’t see God is not evidence that He is not there.

2.The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can’t be created or destroyed, it simply changes form.  Where did it come from?

3.The second law of thermodynamics defines the law of entropy, which proves that all things revert back to their original state, or that all things are in a constant state of deterioration.  This alone should be enough to disprove evolution.

4.The law of biogenesis tells us that only life can beget life.  So life had to start with life.  Who was that first life? Where did it come from?

There is much more evidence available, but if a person strongly believes that there is no God he will not accept any evidence to the contrary and will labor on in his self delusion to his own destruction.  Believing there is no God does not eliminate God from one’s life; there is a God and there is a consequence.  The choice is yours. Truth does not matter to the closed mind so it can’t progress beyond the first absolute. If you believe the truth of the existence of God, then we can go to the next absolute. 

The third absolute: 

Did God provide us with absolutely correct and complete guidelines or instructions for life?

Reason dictates that a God that could create all that we see (and more) must have a purpose and would not leave man without direction. Did God, as any good manufacturer would do, give us a reliable book of instructions? 

There are many great books to choose from, many will have some truth and good advice.  Most will have conflicting stories, half-truths and outright falsehoods.  Is there a standard by which they can all be evaluated? Wouldn’t that standard be truth, accuracy, consistency and an underlying direction and purpose for life? Shouldn’t we apply our first absolute to our search for that kind of  book?  If the answer is yes, let’s go to the next absolute. However, there is little point in advancing to the next absolute if you haven’t proven the previous one.

The fourth absolute:

Is the Holy Bible absolutely the inspired word of God?

Put it to the test.  Prove it for yourself. Jesus knew scripture and thus defeated Satan. “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).

The unadulterated, pure word of God is 100 % accurate (but not all translations or interpretations by man).  There are some mistakes in translations but in spite of that the Bible:

1.  Can and does accurately tell of events before 

     they happen.

2.   Has been substantiated by history.

3.   Has been substantiated by archaeology.

4.   Has been substantiated by science.

5.   Has been substantiated by geography.

The Bible is the only book that:

1.  Gives proof that God exists.

2.  Gives complete instructions for a long, healthy, victorious life.

3.  Tells you how to have eternal life.

4.  Gives proof that it is HE who is speaking to us by the prophets and His Son (Heb 1:1-2).

5.  Reveals God’s purpose for you in relation to His great creation.

All these things one must search out and prove for himself.  No one can or should do it for you.

If you believe the Bible is the true word of God and have proved for yourself the above statements then we can go to the next absolute, but don’t leave here till you do or these next absolutes will be of little benefit to you.

The fifth absolute:

Does the Bible reveal an absolute live or die message for all mankind?

Man’s present condition is that all mankind will die once, but that many will die twice.  Heb 9:27 “--- it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” There is a resurrection that will involve all mankind and there is a second death from which there is no deliverance (Gen 3 and Rev 20).

If you have proved to your satisfaction the desperate condition of mankind then ---

The sixth absolute:

Does the Bible reveal an absolute and true hope for mankind?

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isa. 9:2).

God loves us even more than we love our own children, (because we are His children and His love is pure).

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have carved thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” (Isa. 49:15).

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted” (Isa 49:13).

“Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:13,14).

Do you believe that God, through His love, offers hope for mankind?

If the answer is yes ---

The seventh absolute:

Did God offer an absolute way to avoid the second death? 

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col 2:13-14).  (A kind of I.O.U.)

What was against us?  It was not the law, but a written record of things charged against us that was nailed to the cross: the laws we transgressed, our very own sins.

Do you believe that the Son of God paid your death penalty in your stead? 

If the answer is yes ---

The eighth absolute:

There is absolutely no other way man can avoid the second death and receive eternal life!

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

“Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:9-10).

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim 2:5-6).

The ninth absolute

Seven very important steps that will lead us on to absolute perfection!

1.First step: Repentance, a complete turnaround from your present direction (Acts 2:37-38).

2.Second step: Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He paid your death penalty in your stead (Heb 11:6).

3.Third step: Baptism by immersion, (symbolizing death to your old life, burial of your past sins, and resurrection to a new life in Christ) (Acts 8:36).  A good start, but don’t stop here!

4.Fourth step: Laying on of hands by the presbytery (Acts 8:14-17).

5.Fifth step: Resurrection of the dead (for all mankind) (John 5:28-29).

6.Sixth step: Eternal judgment (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:4).

7.Seventh step: Our eventual perfection accomplished through Christ and His (and our) resurrection (2 Cor 13:9).   

He is the one that paid the price, and the only one qualified to do so (Rev. 5:9), therefore He is the only way to eternal life. Wearing a scapula or other protective apparel, praying to Mary, living a good life, etc will not provide salvation and is an insult (abomination) to the one who died so that you might live.

The tenth absolute

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

We (absolutely) will be kings and priests unto our God; “and we shall reign on earth” (Rev. 5:10).

I have weighed the evidence and proven to my satisfaction the absolute truth that, GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH! (John 17:17). Therefore, I have chosen His word as my rock and foundation for my life.  What about you?

This is a beginning, not an end as we are not there yet, for this mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor 15:51-55).

Message given 12/3/05 Del Leger, Pastor, Christian Church Of God, Grand Junction, Co. (970) 249-6857, dlleger@montrose.net.