Tuesday, 17 January 2023

January 4 - Truth is in the Details!

                      Read today’s texts first: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

  • Those who believe in “relative truth” are not in the family, therefore their truth is not “relative,” relevant or real.
  • Politicians can’t say it, but I can – Jesus is the only way! 

I remember visiting with a retired couple from a liberal church background and listening to their collection of favourite sayings.  One stayed with me because it captures a prevailing philosophy of our day: “whatever you believe is true is true!”  So many people today are combining their fascination of religious syncretism with the current craze of politically correct tolerance.  The end result is relative truth.

Today our Bible reading measures that concept.  Genesis 9-11 includes the Table of Nations – not exactly page turning stuff!  One wonders why God included these tedious details so early in His Book.  Most writers typically throw in their best stories near the beginning to hook readers.  But not so with God.  When I encourage students to start a Bible reading plan each new year, this is usually where I lose them.  What I say to them is – God is into details.  This history of the nations has been 99% verified through extrabiblical sources.  That is remarkable!  The accounts we just read of creation and the flood also have their parallels in almost every ancient culture.  The details are incredibly similar, and where different, the Bible shines as the most credible.

Why is it important that God’s Word be so full of historical detail?  The answer is - so it can be examined and substantiated as true.  It’s this credibility that makes it possible for Jesus, in Luke 4, to dismiss the artful lies of His enemy with the powerful words, “It is written…”!  There is a source of absolute Truth.  It’s Jesus and His Word.   And while our politicians can’t say it, I can – Jesus is the only way.  Buddha, Confucius, the Dali Lama, and Mohammed may claim to speak truth, but they’re not in the Family.  Their “truth” is therefore not “relative,” relevant, or real!  The Truth is in the details.

“Lord, so often we embrace Your general truth, but let the bundle of day-to-day specifics slip from our grasp.  This year I need to major in the minors, care for the details, and discover how real Truth is lived in the everyday decisions of my life.  It is written!”

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