Are You Absolutely Sure?

Sunday I heard New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, warn the residents of the impending storm. “This could be the biggest snowstorm in the history of this city. My message for New Yorkers is prepare for something worse than we have ever seen before.”

By last night meteorologists were scaling back their predictions. And this morning I awoke to learn that while the snow was significant, it wasn’t anywhere close to the dire predictions. At least in NYC.  (Boston?  Well, they’re getting hammered!)  Anyway, it reminded me of  this old story.

One Fall, the native Americans asked their Chief how cold the coming winter was going to be. Although he really didn’t know, the chief said the winter was going to be really cold. So, the village Indians were instructed to collect wood and be prepared. However, to be sure, the Chief went to town and called the National Weather Service and asked, “Is this winter to be cold?”

“This winter is going to be very cold,” replied the weatherman. So the Chief returned to the village and urged the tribe to collect even more wood. A week later he called the National Weather Service again, “Is it going to be a very cold winter?” “Yes,” the man replied, “it’s going to be extremely cold.”

So the Chief went back to the village and ordered his people to gather all the wood they could find. Two weeks later the Chief called the National Weather Service again “Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?” “Absolutely!” the man affirmed, “the native Americans are collecting wood like crazy!”

Predicting the weather is an inexact science. There are so many variables and changing weather patterns. And, it may be the person we are depending on for the information is not properly informed.

Unfortunately many people look at spiritual matters the same way. They consider it an educated guess. A predication. A human opinion. But subject to change.

Often in university philosophy classes professors utter the silly assertion, “there is no absolute truth.” Of course, that statement is an absolute! Today’s culture looks at truth as being “relative.” It says, “What is truth for me, may not be truth for you. And what truth is for you, may not be truth for me” This philosophy spouts off phrases like “It doesn’t matter what you believe (or do) as long as you’re honest and sincere.”

Our post-modern culture values tolerance more than truth. Anyone who stands for truth is said to be “judgmental.” Accused of being intolerant.” And even a hater! Of course, the definition of “tolerance” has changed. At one time tolerance was respecting people with whom we disagree and treating them with dignity and respect. Now “tolerance” means that every idea is equally valid, equally true, and every life style is equally right. No matter how bizarre it is!

I don’t know who coined the phrase, but our age suffers from “truth decay.” Modern culture doesn’t value truth, it values convenience. Ease. Self-gratification. Folks today ask, “Is it easy?” “Does it work?” “Is it right for you?” If so, it must be accepted. That’s pragmatism! Not truth.

Like the Gentiles in the ancient world our society has “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator….” (Rom. 1:25)

There is a way to measure if something is true. Jesus said, “I am the truth” (Jn 14:6). If we want to be free from sin, guilt, and destructive lifestyle we must come to know Him. His Word. His truth. He said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). His prayer to the Father, is His passion for us “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (Jn 17:17

Unlike weather forecasts. God’s Word is Truth. Absolute. And authoritative. It is unchanging. Unbending. Unbowed.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman