Absolute Truth: Dispelling the Lie of Relative Truth

You have your own way of thinking, processing information, and sharing it. I have noticed a common thread about sin within some groups, which disturbs me. Maybe you’re in one of these groups. If so, I intend to explore the distinction between relative truth and absolute truth, as well as how to live in accordance with biblical truth, using the information provided below.

Relative Truth

Relative truth says:

“People have many different definitions of what it means to live rightly in the world. I believe it is everyone’s human right to figure out what that means and to decide for themselves how to live rightly. I will not argue with their way of living, even if it isn’t how I choose to live, or if it doesn’t agree with biblical teaching, because I think they have the right to decide for themselves.” (Paraphrase from several personal conversations.)

This kind of thinking baffles me. There are over 7 billion people on this planet, and approximately 314 million live in the United States. According to this way of thinking, you have the right to decide how to live, Christian or not. Additionally, this group will not criticize your choice, even when it contradicts biblical teachings. Why is that? Where has this thinking come from?

Through my ongoing study of the Bible, I have not been able to find this thread of thinking in either the Old or New Testament. The Bible talks about “unity in the faith” in Ephesians 4:11-13. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” How can there be unity in the faith if you can decide for yourself how to live right? What is the basis of your choice?

In Romans, chapters 6 and 8, Paul spells out the way we should live “according to the Spirit.” It does not say “according to the Spirits.” There is One Spirit, One God, One way, not 314 million different ways. When you decide something is right and when I decide something is right, even if we disagree, somebody must be right. We can’t both be right. Saying we are both right is a good example of relative truth.

Christ gave teachers, preachers, and others to show you the way you should live rightly. “You” includes me and all your neighbors as well. But, today, from the pulpit, from evangelical TV, from the thousands of Christian blogs (just to name a few places) come blasphemous ideals about “you can live your life differently than me, or what the Bible teaches. I’m not going to judge you, and I’m not going to try to change your mind.” Relative truth, again.

What happened to Galatians 6:1? “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Paul continues to say in 6:4, “Each person should test his actions...” How do you do that? Not by deciding for yourself what is right and wrong but by testing, using the Bible as your score sheet, and aligning your life with Christ’s example by actual Bible teaching, reading, and study. Get into the Word yourself to break free from relative truth.

Absolute Truth

The Bible does not waver in its assertion of the truth about sin. It does not say things like “If you think it’s ok, then it’s ok even if I don’t agree.” Actually, it says the complete opposite.

            “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” (Romans 15:1-2)

If you believe the Bible is entirely the truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, you cannot stand by and watch people sin without speaking the absolute truth.

~ Sin is Sin

Marriage testing is not proper: Men and women living together to see “if it’ll work out” before marriage is a sin. Sex before marriage is a sin. Allowing any substance to control your body is a sin. Gossip is a sin. Women having sex with other women is a sin. White lies are a sin. Changing a few numbers on your taxes is a sin. Men having sex with other men is a sin. Boasting is a sin. Pride is a sin. Fear is a sin. Worry is a sin, including trying to figure things out on your own. Murder is a sin.* The list goes on and on. Believing one sin is worse than any other sin is a lie you like to tell yourself so you don’t feel so bad about your sin when compared to, say, someone who commits murder. *(Please note that I put all these sins in no particular order because to God they are all equal.)

Sin is sin is sins. God has a lot to say about all of it in His Word. You have no right to decide which “right way” is best for you, especially as a Christian. There is only one right way, and that way is living according to the Spirit – God’s way. (Romans 8)

The Bold Truth

Am I going to tell you how to live? Yes, I am! Before you start bombing the comment area, let me explain.

~ Sharing My Gifts

God has given me specific spiritual gifts to use for your spiritual growth and development. His gifts to me are not for my personal use, but to help you understand how to live by following His word. He has also given you special gifts. I am not special. Discover and utilize your spiritual gifts to recognize that absolute truth reveals itself as it is, and in no other way. Check out my blog called “Decode God's Call Through Your Spiritual DNA” to uncover God's call on your life.

~ Chosen to Speak Truth

God has chosen me to tell you how He wants you to live. Not how I want you to live. Please note the difference. Do I have something special and unique? Yes, my calling! It is my mission to speak the truth in love (Jeremiah 1:9-10). It is an anointing from the Holy Spirit that enables me to accomplish it. Jesus chose me, and many, many others like me and before me, to share His love through the Bible. (Look back at Ephesians 4:11-13.) My responsibility is only to lead you to the truth. After that, the choice is yours.

Best Possible Life

God wants you to have the best possible life. He didn’t hand down a rule book by which to punish you. He graciously gave you His Word so you could understand the way to have the best possible life. Sometimes that means abstaining from things “everyone else is doing.” Sin separates you from the love of God, but repentance restores that relationship. How can you repent if no one gently points out your sin? I could not truly love you the way Christ loves you if I continued to agree to disagree with you about sin.

Conclusion

Here’s the absolute truth: any activity or thought that stands against God and His Word is a sin. Therefore, without Jesus, we cannot have a relationship with Him because of our sin. None of the things you are doing that might seem right to you but go against God are ok. Only The One, Jesus Christ, can make restitution for you and reconcile your sinful life to your Maker. Follow The Roadmap to Jesus to gain a deeper understanding of your position before God.

Praise God Jesus obeyed, died on the cross for all sins, your sins, and was raised back to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made it possible for you to have a personal relationship with God. Even though you are still a human who sins, Jesus covered past, present, and future sin with his blood. God sees you through a “Jesus filter” once you believe in and receive Him as your Savior.

Are you ready to transition from relative truth to absolute truth? Use the prayer below to begin the transformation now!

Dear God,

            It’s true that I believe I have the right to live the way I want. But my belief has changed since I can see the difference between relative truth and absolute truth. I desire the absolute truth to rule my life. Help me to overcome my old beliefs and fill me, Holy Spirit, with your wisdom to know the difference. I submit relative truth and receive the power of absolute truth today.

            In Jesus' name, Amen.