And All the People Answered “Amen, Amen”

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Truth, to an open mind, is simply too convincing to reject. In fact, truth, in general, has a natural ability to draw the attention of those who hear it. Likewise, once the evidence of truth is clearly explained and confirmed it is natural to accept that truth and abide by it. However, sad as it is, the truth of the gospel does not receive such a generous response. Though confirmed time and time again, it continually is rejected, spurned, and often trodden under foot of man. But is it not strange that the one truth that is self-evident and eternally beneficial is the one that most often is ignored? How could such be the case?

Introduced in Nehemiah 8 is a nation that for centuries had ignored the truth of God’s law (Psalm 119:142) and had thus endured a famine of righteousness. Now as they have returned to their homeland by the mercy of God the people came together and not only sought the book of law, but demanded it. Ezra the scribe brought the book, stood at the pulpit prepared for him for this purpose, and read from the law all morning while the people stood out of respect (Nehemiah 8:1-6). Having been without for so long, their thirst for matters spiritual finally overcame their stubbornness and they basked in the glory of the truth. When it was read, its self-evidence was revealed to them, and as one person they cried out in conviction “Amen, Amen” (vs. 6). The power of God’s truth cut them to the heart and their response was humble submission.

No longer, though, does it seem that people are willing to respond to the truth with such humility. In fact total rejection of the truth seems to be more normal now than any other response. How far as a society has this world fallen to reject what is so plainly, lovingly, and forcefully declared by the Bible?

Has man suddenly come to reject the truth because truth has become unable to be ascertained? The Bible was written with the intention of man reading it, understanding it, and obeying it, else the stated purpose of this book would be impossible. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17). If the Bible cannot be understood then these verses fail on several points. First, since the Bible was written by God’s inspiration, if the Bible cannot be understood, then God was ineffective in revealing His will to man. Second, if the Bible cannot be understood, then it is not profitable at all, much less for doctrine, reproof, correction, or instruction in righteousness. Third, the Bible, if not understandable, cannot perfect the man of God; and fourth, it cannot furnish him throughly to all good works. The conclusion that the Bible cannot be understood demands these added conclusions. These are ridiculous, therefore so must be the claim.

Has man suddenly come to reject the truth because truth is no longer identifiable? Perhaps the most popular religious view to emerge in the last several decades is the conclusion that there is no standard, objective truth. Many claim truth is relative, therefore what is truth to one may not be truth to another and what is truth to that person may not be truth to anyone else. However, if such is the case then the Bible is not only unreliable, but also misleading. Christ said in John 8:32 that “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This statement affirms a single truth that provides freedom, yet if truth is relative then whose truth is the one. It seems that God would be a respecter of persons to make truth relative and yet say that only one truth will free man from sin. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) therefore truth is not relative. There is one truth and it is only that one truth that shall make man free.

Has man suddenly come to reject the truth because truth is no longer appealing? To claim such one must also claim that truth itself has changed and the desires of man have not. Truth was appealing at one time. It was the truth that pricked the hearts of the multitude at Pentecost and led them to obedience (Acts 2). It was truth that convicted Paul and led him toward salvation (Acts 9). It was truth that convinced Cornelius and his household of what they had to do (Acts 10). Truth has not always been unappealing, and seeing that objective truth is by nature unchanging, this cannot be the reason either.

The fact is that truth no longer receives a welcoming reception as it once did not because of any of the reasons listed above, but because man simply no longer wants it. Truth does not fit the desired lifestyle of many in the world and when man’s will comes to blows with God’s will, man’s free choice often is selfish, choosing their own will over God’s. Yet in His longsuffering He waits. With hope and expectation He endures. Longing for the day that His creation will grow weary from living in spiritual famine once more. That not only will they ask for the book of truth, but will demand it. That they will respect it for what it is, and that one day upon hearing it read they will not spurn and reject it, but will respond in agreement and reception answering, “Amen, Amen.”

-Andy Brewer

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