7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
There is absolute truth in the world today - and it's found in the timeless, time-honored pages of God's Word. Many would reject truth and attempt to make it up for themselves - others would say they believe the truth, but do not make it part of their personal belief system. God calls us to make our thoughts and actions line up with His truth, His precepts - we have to be careful that we are not making it up as we go along, but that we are not only acknowledging God, but allowing His truth to shape our beliefs and behavior.
In Psalm 119, we find a tribute to the power of absolute truth, found in God's Word:
159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
News out of Charlotte yesterday dealt with the Democratic party platform - an amendment was put forth to include language referring to God. Here's the line:
"We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."The amendment was recommended by a United Methodist minister who used to be Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, who is quoted by the Christian Post as saying that he affirms and attests to "our belief in God is central to the American story and informs the values we've expressed in our party's platform.". That amendment, and another recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, were brought to the floor, and after a rather contentious voice vote, it was determined that they passed. According to Media Matters, The Democratic Party has mentioned God in previous platforms – once in 2008, seven times in 2004 and four times in 2000.
And, I believe just as the parties and the candidates are defining their beliefs, I think it can be instructive for each of us to develop our own platform - what do we believe? If we say we believe in God, how does that inform the way we think and behave?
There are many today that claim to believe in God, but by their actions and even their statements of belief, take a position that contradicts the Word of God. If Jesus is the Lord and Savior of our lives, then we will allow the Holy Spirit to direct us consistent with God's truth. We have to be cautious that we are not merely paying lipservice to God and then deny Him by the way we live our lives. In an era where truth is relative and so-called human wisdom is allowed to trump absolute truth, we as Christians must be grounded in God's Word and live out that truth in a firm, confident, and compassionate way.
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