The Absolute Truth of God

Matthew 5:17-20 (NLT)


17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!



In these verses Christ acknowledges the Law of Moses and the commentaries placed on the law by the prophets of the Bible. Christ did not come to abolish the law, but to amend it with grace and mercy. Christ did not come to destroy the principles of righteous which God set forth, but instead to destroy the strongholds of Satan against man. Christ honored the law of God. Christ in all respects yielded obedience to the law, honored his parents, sanctified the Sabbath, prayed, gave alms and did that which no one did - obeyed perfectly and never broke the law. Christ often rebuked the teachers for their overly pious attitude and harsh punishments; yet He commended their righteous ways. The law was meant to reflect man’s sinful nature and show a need for God’s love, grace and mercy which He gave through His Son Jesus Christ who died for our sin.



There are two types of truth – relative and absolute. Relative truth says each culture or individual discovers what is true for them. Since relative truth is invented individually there is no consistent or universal truth and the truth changes as the culture changes. Relative truth changes over time to meet opinions. Those who believe in relative truth believe there is no absolute truth one can hold to.

Absolute truth is discovered and not invented. Absolute truth holds true across individuals and cultures. Absolute truth is unchanging and stays uniform across time. A culture or individual cannot change absolute truth and the truth is unaffected by the person’s attitude professing it. Absolute truth is absolute and understood without a need for opinion.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” The Lord’s truth is absolute and not open to relativism. Today’s religious beliefs are not governed by opinions of our day but instead are discovered in God’s word. The value of righteousness God holds is the same yesterday, the same today and the same tomorrow. We cannot change what God has ordained nor can we bend His word to suit our need.

In the news there are some arguing Christianity must change to fit the times. I submit God does not change therefore the beliefs of the church must not change. The church must stand on the absolute truth of God and voice His word. America was based on the foundation the church has a right to its opinion and is separate from the control of the government. Likewise government is free from control of religion and is allowed to rule as it chooses. However, our government, a representative government, is also to listen to the will of the people, weight the issues and pass fair legislation.

Some groups of people are confusing the role of church. Some suggest the church has no right to speak up and voice an opinion. The truth is the individuals of the church have the same right and every other individual under our government. We all have the right to an opinion and for that opinion to be heard and represented.

Church Mission

Luke 9:51-56 (NLT)


51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 So they went on to another village.

From the words of Matthew Henry - This passage of story we have not in any other of the evangelists, and it seems to come in here for the sake of its affinity with that next before, for in this also Christ rebuked his disciples, because they envied for his sake. There, under colour of zeal for Christ, they were for silencing and restraining separatists: here, under the same colour, they were for putting infidels to death; and, as for that, so for this also, Christ reprimanded them, for a spirit of bigotry and persecution is directly contrary to the spirit of Christ and Christianity.




The Samaritans rejected Jesus because he was on His way to Jerusalem. The Samaritans were at odds with those in Jerusalem over the proper place to worship. The Samaritans were particularly incensed against Christ, who was a celebrated teacher for adhering to the temple at Jerusalem when the priests of that temple were such bitter enemies to Him. The disciples understanding this bitterness between the Samaritans and the Jews wanted to destroy them for the sake of Christ. Yet we see Jesus stopped, turned and rebuked them for their thoughts and then they continued on to another village that would accept Him.

Those who obstinately or intolerantly are devoted their own opinions lose sight of Christ’s purpose. God tells us that He so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus, that whoever places their faith in Him will have everlasting life. The ministry of Christ was to show people their need for redemption from sin. Often Jesus would go to a sinner, tell them of their sin, and then say to them “go and sin no more.” We never hear Jesus threatening people nor do we find Jesus condemning those who needed His love. In fact in the verses above we see Jesus rebuking His disciples for the thought of harming a town for His sake.

The ministry of the church is the same ministry of Jesus. The church should love people, reach out to them, teach them about sin, share with them the redeeming freedom from sin found in Jesus and encourage them to sin no more. Yet there are Christians who are devoted to their own opinions and are intolerantly attacking individuals. I have no issue with the church stating what sin is and taking up for moral causes; but their actions should be directed towards the sin and not the people. To hear a pastor in the news say a group of people should be rounded up and put behind electric fences is not in line with the ministry of Christ or the love of Christ. How can The Church reach out to people with love when they are voicing hatred?

Embrace the real Jesus

Revelation 3:8 (NLT)

8 I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

These are the words of Christ to the church of Philadelphia. Christ tells the church He takes notice of their actions and has seen their faith at work. They have little strength in what they do, but Christ gives them grace for not denying Him and continuing to work even though they can accomplish more. So Christ Himself is holding open a door of opportunity no one else can close against Him.




In Matthew chapter 16 Jesus asks The Disciples a question, “But who do you say I am?” to which Simon Peter responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus is the Son of the living God. He is the Messiah – the one promised to Abraham. Jesus is the one prophesied by the prophets. Jesus is the Christ spoken about to Moses, Abraham, David, Isaiah and others through angels, man and God. He came to replace the covenant of the law by replacing it with His obedience to God the Father through His sacrifice for all sin. Jesus was the one the people had been waiting for. He was the Son of David and Abraham’s chosen seed, the one to deliver all from captivity, the goal of the Mosaic Law, Yahweh in the flesh, the one to establish God’s reign and rule, the one to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, freedom to the prisoners and proclaim good news to the poor. He is the Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world.

There are many people who do not seem to know the real Jesus. Instead they know a Jesus they have formed in their own image. There is hippie Jesus who flashes a peace sign and appears on posters wearing tie-dyed tee shirts. There is the Jesus of politics who is either for or against gay marriage. There is open-minded, tolerant Jesus who loves everyone except those we can’t tolerate or love. There is Sports Jesus who is there on the field to help a football team win, while the other team loses. There is politically correct Jesus trying to make sure no toes are stepped on. There is Guru Jesus who inspires us, but we don’t listen to His warnings of sin. There is Eco Jesus who says we should protect the earth. There is good example Jesus who sets a good example to become a better you.

Jesus Christ is not an image of what we want nor is He a reflection of our current mood or desires. Jesus is Lord of Lords. He is King of Kings. He is our Lord and our God. He is the Father’s son. Jesus is the Savior of the world the appeasing substitute for the sins we have committed. He is more loving, more holy, and even more wonderfully terrifying that we can imagine.

So instead of creating a savior of your own imagination, embrace The Son of God for who He is, holy, right, just, loving, gracious, merciful and kind. Embrace the one who holds open the door of opportunity to do His will even when our faith is weak. Embrace the one who sets you free from sin so you can live in freedom because He died for your sins and made you right with the Father in Heaven.

The Love of Christ

Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)


19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.

The apostle tells us the love of Christ is too great to fully understand, but we can begin to understand His love by placing our faith in Christ. We can pray so that we might begin to know him. Christians can pray to have a closer fellowship with Him and grow in their knowledge of Him. On this side of heaven if may be impossible to fully understand the love of Christ. However, here on earth we can receive the grace of God granted to us by Jesus Christ, which brings us closer to God and Christ.



One weekend, author Paul Tripp gave his teenage son permission to spend the weekend at a friend's house. But during the weekend Paul got a call from the friend's mother, telling him that his son was not at her home. (Her son had felt guilty about covering for Paul's son and confessed to his mom.) Paul was truly grieving that the trust between him and his son had been broken. He went to his bedroom to pray for God's help, and then it hit him…Because of his love, God had already begun a work of rescue in his son's life. “Now, rather than wanting to rip into my son,” Paul wrote, “I wanted to be part of what this God of grace was doing in this moment.” After giving his son a couple of hours to relax upon his return, Paul asked if they could talk. "Do you ever think about how much God loves you?" Paul asked his son. "Sometimes," he answered. "Do you ever think how much God's grace operates in your life every day?" His son looked up but didn't speak. "Do you know how much God's grace was working in your life this weekend?" "Who told you?" his son asked. “Son, you have lived your life in the light. You've made good choices. You've been an easy son to parent, but this weekend you took a step toward the darkness. You can live in the dark if you want. You can learn to lie and deceive. You can use your friends as your cover…or you can choose to live in God's light. I'm pleading with you: don't live in the darkness; live in the light." "As I turned to walk away," Paul says, "I heard his voice from behind me saying, 'Dad, don't go…I want to live in the light. Will you help me?'" [Paul David Tripp, Forever: Why You Can't Live Without It (Zondervan, 2011), pp. 151-153]

What a beautiful story to illustrate Christ’s love for us! Can you imagine Paul turning down his son once he said, “Dad, don’t go…I want to live in the light. Will you help me?” I can’t, nor can I imagine Jesus our Advocate and Helper who has called us out of the darkness and into the light, would say anything but “Yes, I love you and want to help.” We can see man’s capacity to love, but the love of Christ goes further than anything we can imagine. Seek out the love of Christ and place your faith in Him.

The Ride of Sin

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)


1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Matthew Henry writes about the message the Apostle Paul is giving to the Galatians: In the former part of this chapter the apostle cautions the Galatians to take heed of the Judaizing teachers, who endeavored to bring them back under the bondage of the law. He had been arguing against them before, and had largely shown how contrary the principles and spirit of those teachers were to the spirit of the gospel; and now this is as it were the general inference or application of all that discourse. Since it appeared by what had been said that we can be justified only by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the righteousness of the law, and that the law of Moses was no longer in force, nor Christians under any obligation to submit to it, therefore he would have them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and not to be again entangled with the yoke of bondage.



Years ago when I was dating my wife I took her to the State Fair. We went on a day where you could ride unlimited rides and the crowd happened to be light. We had been there for a little while when we came upon the Rock-O-Plane that had no riders. The operator was just waiting for someone to hop on and go for a ride. We thought great; we can ride and enjoy it for a while.

The Rock-O-Plane for those who don’t know has spinning cages attached to a large wheel. Each cage spins independently while the large wheel is also turning. Its shape is similar to that of a Ferris wheel, but with seats that are enclosed and rock and roll as the ride turns. If the rocking builds sufficient momentum the seats will flip upside-down and end-over-end.

At first the ride was fun. However, because no one was riding the operator let the ride continue to run and run and run. As we came around each time the operator reached out and spun the cage harder. Everything became a blur and we started yelling for the operator to let us off. Unfortunately our screams only encouraged the operator to spin the cage faster and faster. We became nauseous and disoriented. Instead of having fun we were miserable. We had no control over what was taking place and our lives were literally spinning out of control. Eventually the operator had mercy on us and stopped the ride. We staggered off feeling very ill on the inside. It took us a while for us to recover from that horrible experience.

Proverbs 5:22 says, “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.” Sin is like the ride was to us, tempting because it looked fun. As we found out however, the fun only lasted for a short while and then it became misery and we had to deal with the consequences afterwards. We were trapped and spinning out of control, but finally grace and mercy appeared. We can thank God for the promise of His mercy and grace, because without it we could be on sin’s ride for a while.

Let go and allow Christ to work in your life

Philippians 3:8-9 (NKJV)


8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

The Apostle Paul writes in verses 4-6, “If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” In other words if there was anyone who could boast about conforming to the law, being religious, coming from a background of people who loved God’s laws and was considered blameless in concern to the law – it would be Paul. However Paul knows he has lost his freedom, he has lost his status, he has everything he counted as meaningful and he is content having found faith in Jesus Christ. It is from his faith that he has found righteousness and now he considered everything else in his past dung.




Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a great preacher of Reformed theology at the Westminster Chapel in London posed a thought to his congregation. He said, "I want to talk to you today about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You may call it what you want, but I want to know, have you experienced the fullness of the Spirit I know all of you listening to me come as I do from a Reformed background. But it's not good enough. I know that all of you would want to say to my question about the Holy Spirit, 'Well, we got it all at conversion; there's no need for any more experience.' Well", said Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "I have only one other question to ask you. If you got it all at conversion, where in God's name is it"

The questions to ask yourself – Are you holding on to things of the past or are you allowing God to work in your life? Are you depending upon yourself and what you are or are you depending upon your faith in Christ?

Let go of the former rubbish in your life and allow your faith in Christ to fill you with the righteousness of God.

Getting it right - Love not Hate

1 Timothy 1:5-11 (NLT)


5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the Law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. 8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

In these verses we find the Apostle Paul writing Timothy about the law. Those who have faith in Christ should not become engaged in meaningless instructions concerning the law for the law was intended for the lawless. Instead believers in Christ should be filled with love that comes from their own pure heart, a clear conscience and genuine faith in the promises of God.




Jesus instructed those who followed Him that they should love one another. Jesus even went as far as saying, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” In other words if a corrupt, unjust person can exhort money from individuals and love those who they are close to; how does that differ from a Christian only loving those they are close with. The commandment to us was to love one another. Not just some, but all people.

There is a quote I have often heard in Christian churches, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” Search your Bible, Google the words, but you won’t find that quote in scripture. The quote originated from Mahatma Ghandi, Indian nationalist, non-violent civil disobedience leader and follower of Hinduism – the world’s third largest religion. I have to confess I have heard the words so much in church I believed them to be from God. Worldly quotes are fine if they can help us to understand life, but we should not confuse these quotes with what God has told us to do. We never find Jesus condoning sin or condoning the sinner. Instead we find Jesus loving those around Him and challenging them to move away from sin.

Take the adulteress who the religious leaders were ready to stone. In John 8 The Bible tells us the following about Jesus: “They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

The Bible tells us there are certain things God hates, but God never tells us to hate. Instead God tell us to love always. We need to make sure we are following the words of God and not meaningless discussions as Paul stated. There are many people today who think they are righteous, but turn to hate as a means to correct others. This is wrong and instead we should follow Christ by loving, encouraging, and challenging people to do what is right.

Breaking the strength of the wicked with love

Psalm 75:9-10 (NLT)


9 But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.”


This is the Psalm of Asaph, son of Berechiach. Asaph was assigned by David to give prophecy through music. Matthew Henry tells us about Aspah’s proclamation: 1. He will praise God for his elevation, not only at first, while the mercy was fresh, but forever, so long as he lives. The exaltation of the Son of David will be the subject of the saints’ everlasting praises. He will give glory to God, not only as his God, but as the God of Jacob, knowing it was for Jacob his servant’s sake, and because he loved his people Israel, that he made him king over them. 2. He will use the power with which he is entrusted for the great ends for which it was put into his hands.

Jesus spoke these words to us in Mark 12:29-31 - “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

These words are important for we know we must first love God beyond anything else. Next we are to take the love we have received from God and extend it to others. When we love others God uses the love He has given us to break the strength of the wicked. When we love hearts soften. When we respond to anger with compassion hearts begin to melt. When we show kindness to others they see the benefit of love.

As we love others God develops us and increases our capacity to love. We find ourselves ministering to others we might not have ministered to before. We find ourselves availed to help when possible. We find ourselves loving naturally as God intended.

Let us all give praise to God for what He has done in our lives so that we may be used to work in the lives of others. Let us sing praises and rejoice that we can love fearless because of our Lord and Savior.