Does absolute truth exist? And does it matter?
In order to answer these questions, think about this example. According to science, the law of gravitation is an absolute truth that helps explain why objects fall to the ground when you drop them. However, if someone does not believe in the absolute truth of gravity, then is that person still affected by it?
For example, if a man sits on a bench under a large boulder suspended by a rope, will the rock crush him to death if the rope breaks? Of course it will! This is because the law of gravitation is an absolute truth, and its reality does not depend on our belief in it. The absolute truth of gravity means that the boulder will fall on this man, regardless of what he thinks or believes. Therefore, the man is in real danger, but he will only move out of harm’s way once he realizes the reality of the absolute truth that is jeopardizing his life.
There is an absolute truth much greater than gravity that is putting your life in danger. It is a truth that has serious implications for you, even if you do not believe in it.
A Jewish man that lived in Israel a long time ago made an important statement about truth. He stood before a great ruler one day and said,
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice.”
The ruler responded,
“What is truth?”
Do you want to know the answer to the question, “What is truth?” Do you want to know the absolute truth that could save your life? If so, then I encourage you to continue reading and discover the truth that will save you from the “boulder” that is dangling dangerously above your head.
Everyone faces the same danger
First of all, people must realize the danger that they are in before they will do anything to keep them secure from that danger. Unfortunately, many people live with a false sense of security. They think they are safe when they are actually in danger. Returning to our example above, the man on the bench would feel safe if he did not believe in the truth of gravity, but it does not mean that he would be safe in reality. Even though he does not believe in the truth of gravity, he would still suffer the effects and consequences of gravity.
Now let us talk about the great danger that everyone faces – DEATH. What happens when you die? Is the answer absolute or relative? In other words, can something be true for one person and not true for another person? Many religions say different things about death and “life after death”, but can two opposing “truths” both be true? For instance, if an atheist believes that we just “cease to exist” when we die, and a religious Jew believes that our souls “continue to exist forever”, can they both be right? Can both “truths” be legitimate?
From our first example, imagine that two men are sitting on the bench instead of one. Let us say that one man on the bench believes in the truth of gravity and the second man does not believe in it. If they both remain seated on the bench, and the boulder falls on them, will their different beliefs lead to different outcomes? NO. Both men will be crushed to death by the same boulder because the boulder is operating according to one absolute truth that affects both men equally, regardless of their beliefs of what would happen. This is why it is critically important that we know “what is truth”.
So…..
#1 - It is TRUE that God exists
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1)
The vastness of the universe and the complexities of human, animal, and plant life point us to the “handiwork” of the Creator. Everything exists by His design, NOT by “evolutionary chance” and scientific impossibilities.
#2 - It is TRUE that God is holy
“Exalt you the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.” (Psalms 99:5)
God is holy, meaning He is PERFECT and separated from sin. this also means that ONLY HOLY BEINGS CAN STAND IN HIS PRESENCE AND LIVE. According to His character, God cannot tolerate unholiness. This brings us to the third truth…
#3 - It is TRUE that YOU are not holy
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
None of us are holy. None of us are perfect. We are all sinners. We can look inside of ourselves and realize that we are not living up to God’s standard of perfect holiness. An honest evaluation of ourselves will reveal that we have not even been able to keep all ten commandments, outwardly as well as inwardly. This creates for us a problem, which brings us to the fourth truth…
#4 - It is TRUE that God punishes unholy sinners
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
The punishment for every unholy sinner is death. Specifically, blood must be shed because of our sins. This is why God required the sacrifice of animals in the Jewish Temple. Death is the punishment for our sins.
In our example with the man sitting on the bench, think of the boulder as representing God’s judgment coming down on the sinner. The man will not move off the bench because he does not believe in gravity. Likewise, the sinner will not do anything to avoid God’s judgment because he does not believe in it. Contrariwise, the sinner who does become aware of God’s judgment should indeed be motivated to do something to avoid it. Not only that, but God also desires for you to avoid His judgment.
“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)
Therefore, what should you do to avoid God’s judgment and live? This brings us to the fifth and final truth…
#5 - It is TRUE that there is Good News
First, I know that you already have a belief about what is true regarding life and death. I also understand that it is almost impossible to approach an idea completely objectively and without bias because we all grow up in an environment or culture that teaches a particular way of life, whether that is religious or secular. We are influenced by our parents, teachers, government, religious leaders, and life experiences.
But please remember the man on the bench. He believes that gravity does not exist. However, that belief will not save him from being crushed to death. Only belief in the absolute truth will save him from such a fate. Please remember this before reading the next point.
Earlier, I mentioned a Jewish man standing before a great ruler in Israel and saying, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice.” (New Testament – Gospel of John, Chapter 18, verses 37-38). The great ruler was a Roman prefect (governor) of Judaea named Pontius Pilate. The Jewish man standing before him was Jesus Christ. This very name my trigger certain thoughts and pre-conceptions, but please remember everything that has already been stated up to this point.
While in Israel, Jesus claimed that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no man comes unto the Father, but by Him” (John 14:6). Jesus claimed to be absolute truth and that He is the only way to get to heaven and to be saved from God’s judgment on your sins. This means that Jesus is the only way to heaven for everyone, both Jews and Gentiles. He is not just “the Truth” for Gentiles or just “the Truth” for Jews. He is “the Truth” for EVERYONE.
Just as the T’nak shows that we are all unholy sinners and that we need a sacrifice for our sins, it is written in the New Covenant (which was promised to the Jews according to Jeremiah 31:31) that Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). It is also written, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Jesus Christ died on the cross in your place so that you would not have to die. He made Himself a substitutionary sacrifice for you. This means that the penalty of God’s judgment has been satisfied. However, in order to receive this benefit, you must believe that it is true. You must believe that you are an unholy sinner that deserves God’s judgment, but that Jesus Christ satisfied God’s wrath by dying on the cross in your place. It requires a repentant heart (see Ezekiel 18:32 under point #4 above).
How will you respond?
“What is truth?” Pontius Pilate asked this question in a cynical way, as if there was no way to know what is true. But Jesus states that He is Truth. I hope that you will sincerely consider “What is Truth”. Remember, absolute truth will affect you regardless of your belief in it. This truth that we have discussed will affect you whether or not you believe it. If you believe it, then you will be saved from God’s judgment and enjoy eternal life with God. However, if you reject it, then you will be worse off than the man sitting on that bench, for God’s judgment is far worse than being crushed to death by a boulder.
Now is the time for you to personally answer the question,
“What is Truth?”