Everybody believes something about most things. Like, “Is God real?” “Does God still heal people today?” “How do I get to heaven?” “Does God want me to have an abundance of money?” “Does God really have a plan for my life?”
But, there is a huge question that must be answered when you talk about what you believe. And the question is this: “What is the basis for your belief?”
Here are some common answers:
“That’s just how I was raised.”
“It makes sense to me.”
“I’ve always believed that way.”
BALANCE COMES FROM KNOWING THE TRUTH
But is there really such a thing as “truth?” Or is “truth” just relative? Is there really such a thing as “right and wrong?” Or is that also relative and left up to each individual?
I believe there is such a thing as truth. And I believe there is also such a thing as right and wrong. And I believe the revelation of those things is found in the Bible. And I endeavor to understand what the Bible says about living because I believe that God has my best interests at heart.
Some of you may have a different viewpoint. And that’s all right. But I just want you to know where I’m coming from. I believe a complete understanding of the Bible will keep a person balanced and out of the extreme positions some folks take on life. Because some folks are confused about what the Bible really says.
Here is an example: Do you know where to find this verse in the Bible?
“God helps those who help themselves.”
You’ll never find it because it’s not in the Bible. Some say that American founding father Benjamin Franklin said it and he certainly didn’t write any of the books of the Bible! Others say that phrase comes from Aesop’s fable “Hercules and the Waggoner.” In that fable, a man’s wagon got stuck in a muddy road, and he prayed for Hercules to help. Hercules appeared and said, “Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.” The moral given was “The gods help them that help themselves.”
How about this one?
“Money is the root of all evil.”
That’s not in the Bible, either. This verse found in 1 Timothy 6:10 is similar: “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Money is neither good nor evil. Money is neutral. Money can be used for good to feed your family or to help someone in need. Money can also be used for evil by hiring a hit man to commit murder or buying illegal drugs which can destroy your mind.
Is this one in the Bible?
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
No, again! This is a famous phrase from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. Borrowing money isn’t a sin and neither is giving someone a loan.
So you can see that people’s ideas about truth can come from a variety of sources. I believe truth comes from God and His revelation to us in the Bible.
But there is another part to living a Balanced Biblical Life. And I’ll let you in on that part in my next post called “Balanced Biblical Living – Part 3.” If you missed Part 1 you can link to it here.
What do you think about truth? How do you think you find truth?