John 18:36-38 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. .Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilate asked. “What is truth?”
“What is truth” is not a new debate. Jesus clearly says; “I came into the world, to testify to the truth". "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” The Jews rejected his claims and brought him to Pilate who plainly asks “What is truth” Today, over 90% of Christians are not standing with the truth that Jesus came to proclaim. This is blatant hypocrisy.
Yesterday, I quoted a research study that found that only 9% of Born Again Christians have a Biblical worldview. Jesus says, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me". How can 91% of Born Again Christians call on Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but at the same time not have a Biblical worldview? Barna defined a Biblical worldview as one that held to the following beliefs?
1. Moral truth absolutely exists.
2. This truth is defined by the Bible.
3. Jesus led a sinless life.
4. God is the all powerful and all knowing creator of the universe.
5. Salvation is a gift of God …. You can’t earn it.
6. Satan is real.
7. Followers are responsible to share their faith with others.
8. The Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.
How would we define a worldview? The beliefs that guide the daily decisions of our life. These beliefs have been formed over the course of our lifetime through our parents, school, society, laws, relationships, church, our jobs, TV, books, and mentors. Some other major worldviews are:
1. Materialism: He who has the most things wins
2. Individualism: Me first.
3. Humanism: You are your own god.
4. Pragmatism: Whatever works for you.
5. Hedonism: If it feels good, do it
6. Naturalism: God does not exist
Is the problem becoming clearer to you?
1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.
As learners we unconsciously develop opinions which guide our every action and decision. Along the way many decide to become a Christian but their minds are already set. The new Christian values are mixed with beliefs already established resulting in a potentially hypocritical belief system. A number of years ago, I was talking to a friend and she said, “that’s your truth, Bob. I have my truth and you have your truth”. That’s okay in a free world, but when two people have diametrically opposing views on a value or character issue and one is holding to a biblical position and the other to a materialistic or hedonistic position, both are not representing the truth from a Christian perspective.
The point we must agree on here for the sake of finding the truth is that we must agree on a biblical foundation to determine truth. Each person following their own opinions leads to chaos. All religions are not equal and all beliefs are not correct no matter how firmly or sincerely we believe.
The following verses are only a few that explain the truth as it has come to us through Christ. We will use the Bible here as a filter to determine if the beliefs and issues we discuss here are truth or just more good sounding ideas.
John 17:17-19 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
John: 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jn 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In order to find biblical truth that we can have confidence in, we must stand with Jesus.
“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
This message opens the discussion to a number of topics for future discussion. and also establishes the foundation for Biblically guided discussion.
Have a great day. Bob
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You are right on the money Bob. Jesus said "I am the way, the Truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me." There is no "your truth" and "my truth". There is only "Truth". And anything that is not the Truth, is a lie.
ReplyDeleteAgain He says "he who is not with me is against me". "Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say"? ".....for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Maranatha, He is coming soon!
Great post Brother Bob
ReplyDeleteI had a Biblical worldview ingrained in me from the day God saved me.
I don't remember hearing it called a 'Biblical worldview' in those days. That description of the of the 8 truths you listed must have become popular some years later.
I'm looking forward to following your blog
God bless you, Ron