Day 76: We Can't Handle The Truth

Luke 11:21-23

New International Version (NIV)

 ²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²² But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

   ²³ “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Was Jack Nicholson right? It is true that "we can't handle the truth"? I have to admit that for the past few weeks, I've been thinking about something that is really bothering me. The more I talk/listen to other Christians, the more I realize that we as a people are fearful. We're fearful of offending. Fearful of standing up for the truth. Fearful that someone will think that we think they're wrong and accuse us of "judging" them. To a certain extent, I think we've given in to postmodern society that we live in... the one that tells us that there is no truth and that you can believe whatever you want as long as it's true for you.

Satan loves relative truth. But God has always taught that 1) truth exists, and 2) that there is only one. Jesus was merciful and compassionate, but He was also upfront. He didn't compromise. And here He tells us that if you are for Him, you are against Him. Period. Bottom line.

There was an alumnus visiting HCU today who has spent nearly thirty years establishing a church in his home country of Switzerland. He said that he thought it would take 4 or 5 years; it's taken 27. But he also said that the congregation is small but very faithful. They encourage everyone to "count the cost" before they make a decision to become a Christian; if they aren't willing to change their lives and live as a Christian, they don't encourage them to go ahead with it. (This is a biblical principle, by the way; see Luke 14:25-33). I'm not sure that we'd be bold enough to do this here in the States. 

There is only one truth. And Jesus taught that truth. In fact, Jesus IS that truth. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it's also the only way to salvation. But if we're not willing to stand up for it, to teach it, to live it, we are against Him.