Searching for Truth in Uncertain Times

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17 ESV)

One thing is certain right now, we don’t know who to believe. Throughout our information platforms conflicting messaging seems to happen by the hour. Day to day we hear different things from leader, news outlets, social media regarding what the next right step is for our country. One need only to scroll through their social media accounts to watch as people argue back and forth about what should be done. The ultimate question for Christians is “Where do we go for truth?”

Science and Scripture

Now at this point the careful reader may observe, “The Bible does not give us an action plan for dealing with global pandemics!” That person would be right and we would want to concede the fact that the Bible is not field manual for responding to our current crisis. However, it does tell us something that seems to be missing in all of our conversations about moving forward. That simple truth is that everyone will die.  “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 ESV). Make no mistake, it doesn’t have to be Covid-19 and there is no guarantee that it will be Covid-19 that kills but you and I will die. The truth of the Scripture and medical science agrees here that one out of every one person dies.

The Truth about the Afterlife

If you notice what Hebrews 9:27 also confirms is that after death comes judgment. At this point many of my friends would be looking for charts or want to get into grand discussions about the right ordering of the end times. All of that is good and worthy of discussion but the simple truth of the matter is that you and I will one day give an account for our lives. We will face judgment before a holy God. The only hope that we have of escaping judgment that leads to eternity separated from God in a literal hell is found through the saving grace of Christ.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

Searching for Truth

This leads me back to the original question that we asked as we started this journey, where do we turn for truth? The simple answer is the Bible.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We can be lulled into thinking that the world around us has all the answers that we need. While the leaders around us can be helpful in regards to truth about treating disease and other human problems (this is where we thank God for common grace) their answers regarding ultimate truth will always come up short. The hope that the Christian has is contained in the Word of God and it is through the very word of God that we can point people to the rock solid truth of who God is, who we are, and God’s expectations of us. Christian let’s not get too carried away in speculative theories about the right way to respond to this crisis or the next crisis that we will face. While we want to make sure that we are helping those around us the best way for us to do that is to the share the greatest truth that we know, the Gospel of Jesus Christ!