I was reading something recently. The writer made the comment, “You must act according to your own principles.” I’m guilty of saying, “You must do what you think is right.”
Do you see the problem with either of those? The sentiment behind either of those is probably right, but the reality may not be.
My next question is, “Right according to whose standard?” A time did exist when you could have said that, and we’d all be on the same page – or most of us. Yet, even today we do have a conscience, and we are conscious of right and wrong.
The reality is that some folks have adopted other rules and philosophies because they want those other rules to be right at the moment.
One example of this is relative relativism. The gist of relative relativism is that there is no absolute truth. The truth is relative or subjective.
Utilitarianism is another good example. The gist of utilitarianism is that morality has to do with the greatest good for the greatest number.
And the list goes on.
Ignorance abounds.
It is an absolute lie to say there is no absolute truth. Truth and morality are not subjective. Neither have anything to do with how many folks will be helped or not helped. They don’t have anything to do with whose feelings may be hurt. They have nothing to do with whether something is popular or not. They absolutely have nothing to do with convenience, money, time, or desire.
Something is either true or it’s not. It’s either right or it’s wrong. And you and I may be confused about what the truth is or isn’t. We may disagree on what is right or what is wrong, but that does not change the reality that truth is not subjective.
Most of what rolls around in our heads is tainted. Our prejudices, our perspectives, and our unreliable perceptions of reality taint our view of the world. None of us, no not one, is capable of altering the truth or morality no matter how much we want to change it.
Alternate belief systems, like relative relativism, are just man’s way of trying to exchange what is pure, what is true, what is moral to suit what is convenient and desirable to them.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
If you want to know what is true, look to Jesus. God’s Word is true, and he never changes.
LIFE APPLICATION
I have what could be a tough challenge for you today. If you don’t know what God’s Word says about something you believe, I want you to look it up in scripture.
If you search the Internet for a reference, be sure you look up the passage and read it for yourself. Check a good Bible commentary to see what that says. Be sure the passage is not taken out of context and spun into something that is not true.