Who Determines Truth?

Neal Pollard

"Truth" is an important Bible word, being found 189 times in the Old and New Testaments.  It is an important Bible word because of what it is.  Many have walked in old Pilate's shoes, asking, "What is truth?" (John 18:38).  Jesus' prayer concisely answered that question, even before Pilate uttered it.  The Lord said that God's Word is truth (John 17:17). Yet, we can easily find ourselves substituting that for something or someone else.  Notice the following.

The culture cannot be the standard of truth.  Not only does their standard constantly change, its basis for what is considered truth is skewed and self-determined.  In other words, a worldly approach to "truth" more often than not coincidentally coincides with what people want to do.  Many times, the world gets it exactly backward.  As Isaiah put it, the world using its own wisdom calls evil good and good evil (5:20).  By its own standards, the world does not come to even know God (1 Cor. 1:21).  1 John 2:16 thoroughly dismisses the idea of one's worldly contemporaries being the standard of truth.

The religious world cannot be the standard of truth.  In far too many areas, individual religious groups, denominations, have invented their own doctrines.  They, too, can form their teaching and convictions based upon the strong pressures of culture.   They can reform and reshape their beliefs to accommodate people's circumstances.  For any number of reasons, the religious world veers left or right of biblical center (cf. Deut. 5:32; Prov. 4:27).

The Lord's church cannot be the standard of truth.  Opinions, traditions or customs, and preferences cannot be passed off as synonymous with or equal to truth.  A congregation of God's people, well-intended or not, can depart from the truth.  We cannot blindly follow even these away from truth.

A particular school, preacher, periodical, etc., cannot be the standard of truth.  We can admire colleges and training schools for their work, teachers, and graduates, but this confidence must always remain conditional.  As we remember that one can veer from truth by binding or loosing, we must always measure what is promoted as truth with God's divine standard.  What is true of institutions is equally true of individuals. Even if someone speaks passionately, with conviction, and without hesitation or reservation, our job is to compare their message with God's (cf. Acts 17:11).  We can easily confuse charisma and chemistry with truth, but there is no inherent connection.

You and I cannot be the standard of truth. All of us have scruples, consciences, preferences, proclivities, likes, and dislikes.  We may feel quite strongly about them.  But, we cannot make ourselves the standard of truth on any biblical matter.  

There is but one right standard and that is scripture.  Yes, there is the matter of proper interpretation and recognizing there can be improper interpretation.  On some matters, scripture may not be as definitive as we want or even initially think.  Yet, regarding anything that would effect our salvation, God has a clear, understandable "position" stated forth in Scripture (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3).  What He says on the matter is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Accept no substitutes for this!

Improving Foreign Diplomacy

Neal Pollard

Being roundly criticized for its handling of the Benghazi embassy attack, facing the continued threat of "Arab Spring," ongoing awkwardness in dealing with foreign powers like China and Russia, and now replacing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the new administration is going to be challenged by foreign affairs issues in the foreseeable future.  It is an important issue because how we handle ourselves with the rest of the world determines our strength and weakness as a nation.  Proper diplomacy is key!

Churches and Christians in them continually face a similar challenge in interacting with non-believers and that system of thought identified in Scripture as "the world."  New Testament writers identify the Lord's church as "a holy nation" (1 Pet. 2:9), but we are also said to be "aliens and strangers" in this world (1 Pet. 2:11). Inasmuch as diplomats are those tasked with managing international relations and representing their country abroad, we must understand as mission as "ambassadors for Christ" (cf. 2 Cor. 5:20).  Peter gives us insight into how to improve our "foreign diplomacy."

First, share generously (1 Pet. 2:9). Because of the important role we fill, chosen, royal, holy, and "possessed by God," we need to "come to the table" ready to share.  Whether the world realizes it or not, they are poor in the most dire way possible.  Peter tells us to "proclaim the excellencies of Him" to the world.

Second, humbly recognize the importance of your status (1 Pet. 2:10).  Instead of being pompous and arrogant, we will feel the weight of our responsibility.  We represent God to the world, which is spiritually blind, deaf, and ignorant of the Bible and its teaching.  We also realize that we were once in darkness (2:9) and we have a checkered past (2:10).  This should make us more vigilant and determined as we reach out to the world.

Third, distinguish yourself in conduct (1 Pet. 2:11-12a).  According to these verses, that means avoiding what will lead us to self-destruct ("fleshly lusts") and putting our best foot forward with the world ("keep your behavior excellent").  You will be watched more closely, held to a higher, stricter standard, and criticized just for the "post" you hold.  You will even endure "slander...as evildoers."  

Finally, serve with honor and distinction (1 Pet. 2:12b).  Criticisms can be weathered. Accusations can be proven specious. Conduct is the key.  Because "of your good deeds, as they observe them," they will "glorify God in the day of visitation."  Stay true to what you know is right.  Jesus said, "Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children" (Lk. 7:35).  In other words, time will tell through the fruit of your deeds, as you remain focused on your mission. 

It is hard to say how the President and his cabinet will deal with their foreign diplomacy challenges.  Let us pray for them.  Meanwhile, let us stay focused on the indispensable role we have in that "holy nation" of the church!  That work impacts eternities. 

Do Not Love The World

Neal Pollard

"World" is one of those words with multiple meanings.  It can refer to the earth, to all the people on that earth, or a philosophy or system of thought.  When John says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15), he is referring to the last of those three ideas.  The behavior and philosophy of the world follows that of the prince of this world (Eph. 2:2), characterized by trespasses and sins, fleshly lusts, desires of the flesh and mind, and the like (Eph. 2:1-3).  That is what we are not to love.

Paul warns against approving of those who do worldly things in Romans 1:32.  Those things include all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness...evil-mindedness... inventors of evil things" and more, including homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-31).  The Bible must be consulted to help determine what of the things in culture fit into the category of things like we read in Ephesians 2, Romans 1, Galatians 5, Colossians 3, 2 Timothy 3, and the like.  Some things, in and of themselves, are neutral.  Other things, inherently, are sinful and, thus, "worldly."  

Christians set on defending, praising, promoting, or excusing things that are sexually suggestive, immodest, debauched, perverse, and depraved find themselves militating and working against the very Christ they profess to follow.  To praise sin is to love the world.  To defend immorality or excuse those who do it is to love the world.  To see things through worldly eyes, with worldly values, is to love the world.  Scripture is unequivocal about the matter.  John continues, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15b-17).  Before we choose our heroes, role models, habits, hobbies, diversions, and desires, we do well to review John's God-breathed words and make sure we are not in love with the world!

Please Help Us Pursue The World!

In Jack Hoagland's prayer yesterday morning, he said something that struck me!  While I will not be able to quote it verbatim, in essence he said, "Please help us to pursue the world, not that we would be like it but that we would make it like Jesus."  What a beautiful, biblical thought.  How many times have we preached and taught that we should not pursue the world.  In one sense, that is definitely true.  Some pant and long for the world.  They pursue its ways, its praise, and its gaze.  Thus, it is wrong to pursue the world in order to be like it.  But, at least as far back as Jonah, we find God commanding His servants to pursue the world to bring the world back to Him.

We need a revival of Christians pursuing the world in order to make it like Jesus!  We need to create and foster relationships with non-Christian co-workers, neighbors, and friends, with whom we can share Jesus!  That was what the early church did.  Even when scattered from their homes, they "went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).  They even managed to "turn the world upside down" with their teaching (Acts 17:6, NKJ).  Their pursuit led to the gospel being preached to every creature under heaven (Col. 1:23).

A couple of weeks ago, CHP officer Roman Gardia was sitting at his desk in East Los Angeles when he heard about a speeding motorcyclist who refused to pull over for police.  The pursuit went several miles, through multiple jurisdictions.  When he heard that the speeder was coming into his area, Gardia jumped on his motorcycle and went out onto the highway.  He slowed traffic, waiting for the suspect to approach. The suspect wove into the right lanes and Garcia positioned himself on the shoulder with his own motorcycle in the bike's path. The suspect had to stop and get off the bike, and Gardia jumped off his own bike and tackled the suspect.  Dramatically and even heroically, Gardia pursued his man in the name of the law.

We are not police officers, trying to coerce or strong-arm people into following Jesus.  Yet, should we not imitate the spirit of this man, going after the lost with the same energy and determination?  May our daily prayer indeed be, "Please help us pursue the world!"

A Cricket in New York City

A Native American and his friend were walking on Times Square in New York City when the streets were busy, noisy, and filled with people.  The sounds of the city were almost deafening.  Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."  His friend said, "What?  You must be crazy.  You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”  "No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."  "That's just crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing.  He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket.  In utter amazement, the friend said, "That's incredible!  You must have superhuman ears."  "No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours.  It just depends on what you're listening for."  The friend replied, “There is just no way.  I could never hear a cricket in this noise."  But the Native American simply replied, "It depends on what is really important to you.  Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk.  Even with all the noise of the crowded street blaring in their ears, nearly every person within twenty feet noticed the sound of the coins and turned to look and see if the money that hit the pavement was theirs.  "See what I mean?" said the Native American. "It all just depends on what's important to you.”

The same question must be asked to each of us, “What is important to you?”  As we go through our daily walk, where is our focus?  Is it money?  Entertainment?  Work?  God?  Far too many people are busy and focused on so many worldly aspects of life (Like Martha in Luke 10:38-42).  It is no wonder that people have difficulty seeing God working on earth and in the midst of difficult situations when they are focused on so many other things.  Consider the following scriptures:

• Proverbs 20:7 - “For as he thinks within himself, so he is…”
• Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Where is your heart?  What are you focused on?  The Native American was in tune with nature and noticed even the small details.  As Christians, we must be in tune with God and focused the spiritual things of this life.