Do you want to believe? I mean – really want to believe? That’s the question the latest X-File movie poses. You know – it’s in the title – and of course ‘believing’ in the X-files world covers a multitude of ‘difficult to believe in’ things like alien abduction, crazy government conspiracies, shadowy smoking dudes, and even your run-of-the-mill creepy crawly *sick* monsters of the week. (I mean *sick* as in disgusting and gross. Although the special effects with these creatures are sick!)
Speaking of the latest X-files movie…it is *sick*- as in disgusting and gross. It’s dark and disturbing, and I think spending a Dark Knight at the movies might be better use of your time and cash.
But of course, that’s just my opinion. Because even though – as the X-files series proclaims – ‘the truth is out there’, there is no absolute truth, so everyone’s ‘truth’ is just opinion, right?
See if this sounds familiar:
“That may be true for you, but it’s not true for me.”
Sure – when we’re talking about what Starbuck’s drink we like the best. Or what we like on our massive Chipotle burritos. Those are ‘truths’ that you can put under the category of opinion.
But no absolutes? Anywhere? What about gravity? Is that an absolute truth that you believe in? How about 2+2=4?
And then there’s the whole logical problem with ‘there are no absolutes’. That’s an absolute statement about the non-existence of absolutes. Doh!
Here’s the deal. As humans, we have limited knowledge. And with limited knowledge, you simply cannot make absolute negative statements. For example – ‘there is no God’. Really? Because to absolutely affirm that, you would have to know everything – have been everywhere, etc. ‘There is no absolute truth’. Again, to absolutely know there are no absolutes, you would have to have absolute knowledge, which then would create a category of absolute truth, and defeat the very concept you tried to prove.
Whew! Does your brain hurt? Mine does – so let’s get down to why I bring this up. I believe in absolute truth because Jesus did. Check out these three extremely clear statements:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32).
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. (John 17:17).
First, Jesus not only claims that absolute truth exists, but also that He is the truth! He speaks the truth and acts out the truth. In fact, Jesus makes the statement ‘I tell you the truth’ over 70 times in the gospels. So if absolutes don’t exist, then Jesus is a liar.
He also is referring to Himself when He says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What Jesus meant is that by entering into a relationship with Him, you will be set free from the slavery of a sinful life.
Finally, Jesus calls the words of God ‘truth’. Since the Bible contains the inspired word of God, we have 774746 words of absolute truth!
I get where people are coming from. They think it’s arrogant for a limited human being to say their beliefs and interpretations about life are absolutely true and should be shared by everyone.
I agree. We’re all trapped inside the box of our five senses with only little holes to look out of as we gaze at light of ‘the way, the truth, and the life’. That’s why the God who is outside the box sent His Son and His scriptures to give the most incredible hope of life in the universe!
So if you’re like me, you want to believe. And you can, because the truth really is out there. Open your Bible and talk to the Savior – because He will tell you the truth.
The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Head: Absolute truth exists in the person of Jesus Christ and the Bible.
Heart: Whether or not absolute truth exists is not a question of how you feel. I may feel like I don’t want gravity to exist so I can fly to work and save on gas, but when I jump in the air, I will absolutely kiss the pavement. You can ignore the claims of Christ and the principles in the Bible, but that will absolutely get you into physical, spiritual, and eternal trouble.
Hands: This week, read through the 78 “I tell you the truth” statements made by Jesus in the gospels. Click here for a link to the list.
Lane Palmer serves as a writer for Dare 2 Share Ministries International (D2S) in Arvada, Colorado, a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teenagers to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information about D2S, please visit www.dare2share.org.