Facts

Consider the saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. It is a statement that can apply to so many levels in life. While the statement is most often used in reference to antiques or items from rummage sales, it can also apply to people. For example, think of your significant other. He or she may be a treasure to you, but talk to prior girlfriends or boyfriends and you may find a different experience. The statement could also be applied to food, books, movies, activities, or anything as the statement is just reflecting that we all have different opinions.

This reminds me of an elementary school lesson I had on how to determine “fact” from “opinion”. I remember the teacher presenting a series of statements where we had to determine which category would apply. Let’s try this lesson in light of 2019 society. Fact or opinion: There are more than two genders. Fact or opinion: There is no God. Fact or opinion: Marriage is between a man and a woman. Fact or opinion: Monogamy is dead. Fact or opinion: I have the right to force my religion on others even through violence. Fact or opinion: Your skin color or heritage determines your worth. Fact or opinion: I get to decide my own truth and morality.

As you read these statements taken directly from current events, the exercise begins to grow complex. We would all have a multitude of different answers based on our experiences, background, and belief system. Some of the statements that were once considered to be facts are now open to interpretation. We can now easily say, “One man’s fact is another man’s opinion”. Although I would still consider our current events of facts and opinions in light of both junk and treasure.

It is mind blowing to me that we are living in a time where facts are relative and can be now based on perspective. The Bible say’s through the prophet Isaiah, “Woe to those who call good evil and evil good, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter (Isaiah 5:20). This was a warning from a time in Jewish history where everything that was at one time taken as fact was turned around to an opposite truth. It would appear that we are now on the same cycle. There is a song by Jason Crabb referencing this which talks about how humanity will then be “living life upside down”. Although the great majority will consider this time as an age of enlightenment.

So do we all get to decide our own truth? Do we get to make and break society’s standards on our own? Do we get to change life’s facts into mere opinions? I believe in the Truth contained in the Bible. I have often heard the Bible described by the following acronym: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. The Bible is known to be a moral guide to life by some, but an offensive book of restrictions by others.

Everything we purchase in this day and age has an owner’s manual. Basically the manufacturer of each product gets to decide the parameters for that items’s use to maintain the life and safety of that product. To be honest, my humanity hasn’t always agreed with many of the restrictions the Bible places on me as a believer. However I have come to the realization upon breaking many of the rules, that what once felt like a restriction I now see as intended to maintain my “life and safety” as God’s product.

The Old Testament portion of the Bible places God’s directions for morality to the Jewish people in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1-17). They are a set of guidelines for successful living and a healthy society. And yet in our times, these basic rules for life are being removed from our public places such as schools, courthouses, and government directed facilities all in the name of “inclusiveness”. What if others don’t believe in these guidelines? We can’t be offensive or “exclusive”!

America was found on the basis of religious freedom which included all faiths or no faith, and the freedom for everyone to decide. And yet the Bible and all contained within is gradually being considered “hate speech” (When the Truth is Labeled Hate Speech, BillyGraham.org) Much of society currently doesn’t care for any language that restricts their freedom to decide what is right or what is wrong for themselves. These same people who preach “inclusiveness” and openness for all paths to faith, or no faith at all, are coming against the Truths of the Bible.

Interestingly, the more people fight against the Truths found in the Bible, the more angry they appear in their effort to minimize morality from a Higher Power, the more foreign governments deny the words “God” and “Bible” from their people (Christian Post World, August 6, 2019), the more believers begin to compromise the Truth in an effort not to offend, and the more persecution against the followers of Christ around the world is increasing to record breaking levels (OpenDoors.com), the greater I believe. For this reason: The Bible long ago said the world would come to this.

Let me be clear. There is a purpose in our times, but we must look and discern the events of our day. This gives me hope! Much like the birth of a baby where pain and sorrow must precede the joy of new life. The Bible references this illustration in describing how time will unfold, “For creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present (Romans 8: 22). And in Matthew 24:8, “All these things (i.e., what society is experiencing) are but the beginning of birth pains”.

How could I find hope in these words? Because I am tired and grieved at the headlines I read regarding the increasing violence in our world. The Bible is the only place I have found that has anticipated this in our society and has a plan for our redemption (defined as the action of being saved from the slavery of evil in “What Does Redemption Mean”, by Jack Zavada, June 25, 2019). This hope is available to all who choose to believe in the gift of new life through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary.

However you decide to interpret the statements from this post is subjective, but know that we don’t really get to determine these issues just based on what we think or believe. We don’t have the power to change the facts based on our opinion. Of course we all have the freedom to choose, and that is the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a gift offered with the freedom to accept or reject. What will you choose this day? Your truth or The Truth?