The 2016 Word-of-the Year, according to Oxford Dictionary, is “Post-Truth”. The word is defined as meaning that objective facts are less influential than our emotional feelings or personal beliefs. In other words, we know what we want to believe and any facts that do not agree with that are to be ignored.

This phenomena is certainly nothing new! In religious circles, people have been ignoring clear Biblical teaching for generations in order to believe what they like. When the Apostle Paul declares that “neither fornicators…adulterers…nor homosexuals” shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9,10) — there are many today who will assure us he didn’t really mean it. Apparently the political correctness of our modern world has little room for a God of holiness and righteousness who actually has standards He expects us to obey. For many it has become easier to just ignore what God says rather than to try to explain it and defend it.

The challenge for Christians in today’s world is two-fold. First, we must never be discouraged or surprised when we find people who are willing to dismiss the plain teaching of God’s Word. Let us always be disappointed when we find this attitude, but never really surprised! We must be ready to explain to such folks why emotions and opinions are never going to provide a solid foundation to build life upon. Secondly, we, who are in Christ, must never waver in our devotion to what God has actually said in His Word. The truth will set us free (John 8:32)…..sometimes it may make us miserable for a while, but eventually it will set us free if we listen and obey!

Our Lord never told anyone to simply “believe what you want….. there are many roads to heaven”. What He did say was this:  “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

— Joe