Picture a world wherein everyone agrees, everyone gets along, and there is no question concerning laws, morality, or ethics. Clearly, this picture is rather different than the world in which we live. Our world looks the way it does because of a failure to hold to one unified standard of truth. Today, moral relativism and subjectivism take center stage as everyone’s truth is true for them even if that truth might be different for us. Unless we can all come to accept and agree upon one unified standard of truth, the moral, ethical, and social problems of our world will continue.
Left up to men, the unified standard of truth is sure to be flawed. Thankfully, we do not need a council of our wisest minds to meet to discuss what is or is not morally, ethically, or socially right. We as men have been providentially left with the source of all truth – God’s word! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NKJV). The English Standard Version helps us better understand the idea that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” as it translates this verse to say, “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” In other words, what we have contained in the Scriptures (i.e., the Bible), is in truth the word of God!
Because the Bible is God’s word, the Bible can be trusted. God cannot lie (cf. Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2). Because God cannot lie, what God says must be true. Since God can only speak truth, and the Bible is God’s word, the Bible therefore must be truth! Jesus confirmed this fact as He prayed in John 17:17 saying, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (NKJV). Since God’s word is truth, His word is the standard of judgment. Jesus said as much Himself in John 12:48-50.
The confusion and chaos we see in the world are the results of a failure to submit to the one standard truth. Can you imagine how different our world might look if we all could set our own beliefs aside and simply adhere to the truth of God’s word? While it is not realistic to expect the world as a whole to turn to God, what is realistic is to have this high expectation for ourselves. The change in the world, in our nation, in our state, in our community, and in our homes begins with each of us individually. Are you truly submitting to and living your life by God’s word, the one standard of truth?
By Preston McElyea (January 29, 2023)