“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 (HCSB)
Defining truth is quite revealing. Pilate questioned Jesus, asking “what is truth” (John 18:38). One definition of truth reads “a fact or belief that is accepted as true.” Isn’t that relativism! Just because something is believed and thought to be true, doesn’t make it truth. Thinking there are many ways to heaven, and Jesus is just one of them, isn’t true just because you believe it! Many are sincere, yet wrong! Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6)! There are other truths, whether you accept it or believe or not!
Paul talked about a day when people would be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful proud, abusive and always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth (2 Timothy 3:2&7). We are the most educated generation, ever! Knowledge doesn’t mean truth. We’re told that knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1), and today we see so many people feeling puffed up and entitled. Yet, in this hour, truth is shunned and not very popular.
There are only two genders. That is what God created, male and female, Man in His image (Genesis 1:27)! That’s the truth! In fact, our gender is actually written in our DNA. It doesn’t matter what we feel, our gender is in our written code! So yes, there are clear, right and wrongs given to us in the Bible… sex outside the marriage covenant (Hebrews 13:4, Matthew 5:27-28), or with same gender is wrong (Romans 1:26-27). Stealing is wrong (Zechariah 5:3, Exodus 20:15). Murder is wrong (Exodus 20:13) and so is hatred (1 John 2:9-11). Lying is wrong (Exodus 20:16, Colossians 3:9), even if the truth hurts or is costly. But it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). And the truth has a way of getting out!
Truth is not relative to what you, I or us, believe or accept! There is a standard! The Word, Jesus and the Bible, are our source. It is what our nation as a Republic was founded on, and cannot stand apart from it being our foundation. Parents, pastors, teachers and leaders must speak the truth, the full truth, in love (Ephesians 4:15), starting with those we are entrusted to nurture.
Cry out for a fresh conviction and boldness to speak the truth in love, to those God has put under your care. Pray for your pastor to preach the whole truth, not just the things people like to hear! Pray for the parents you know in your church, to teach their children truth about gender and sex! Pray for the churches across our city to stand together on truth, with no double mindedness!
