Do You Know the One Thing That is Constant in a Changing Culture?

Guest Post By Paul Laso In an age of individualism, relative thought, and pluralism, there could never be a greater need for an authoritative Word. Reliable information is a disappearing luxury in our society. We live in the height of information: News Apps, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, blogs, and countless television channels. Where can we find a credible source of reliable and authoritative information? If you were to begin your search you’d quickly realize that taking in today’s information is like standing in front of an open fire hydrant. Or like standing in crowd being pulled in what seems like every direction. Where do you go? Where do you start? May I suggest source that’s been around for the last 2 millennia: The Gospel. At the center of the Gospel lies every bit of authority we need to combat today’s lack of credible information. “Hit the brakes,” you might say. “How can this message be that reliable? Isn’t it thousands of years old?” The message of the Gospel gains its strongest form of credibility because of its source: God. Laced within message of the Gospel is God’s amazing character. One of the best ways we can see His character is to start from the very beginning! Literally, when The Bible states, “In the beginning God created the Heavens and Earth” (Genesis 1:1). But you might ask, “How does knowing that God created the Heaven’s and the Earth have any bearing on the compass of truth?” Glad you asked! In a world of ambiguity it’s refreshing to know that we can find clarity rather than formulas: simplicity rather than confusion, significance rather than chance. With 9 words (in Genesis 1:1) we can determine a number of different thoughts, however, here are a few:

1. God is All-Powerful (with His own words He created out of nothing – ex nihilo – the Heaven’s and the Earth).
2. God is good because he provided a location that we call home today – Earth! Of course, this isn’t our final destination, but it is certainly a good place that God provided.
3. God is All-Knowing. Who else could have created such a complex yet seamless world like Earth, whereby animals and humans can live in harmony with its atmosphere? Where we have sustenance, breathable air, water, and seasons (Acts 17:25)? Nowhere in this universe is there a place so unique like Earth. Our own galaxy testifies of the magnificence of what God created!

But how does creation provide reliability in what seems like an age of untrustworthiness? Since God created everything we see and have today, which He Himself said was good, how could He not be a source of authoritative information or even a source of guided truth? Whom else would we able to petition and leave with a greater sense of understanding, reliability, and confidence? If He can create a place of perfect harmony, how could He not be a source of reliable information? Hear this: What was true then remains true today! I am convinced that our answer for today is the same as it was then – the Gospel. The Gospel message itself is authoritative, reliable, and credible because of whom it bespeaks – Jesus. The message begins with knowing that we belong to God, and that He is the sole author of our existence. If you recall, Paul brought a message to a society who, at the time, were at their height of information, power, and prestige. Rome was the epicenter of world culture, language, philosophy, music, theater, libraries, and religion. With such an abundance of information the need for an authoritative Word couldn’t have come at appropriate time! The Apostle Paul knew all to well that what Rome needed was the Gospel. As we take a close inventory of today’s world, this is exactly what we need! It was by no accident that Paul began the same way we must approach our culture today – from the beginning. It is when we begin to recognize where we can find the source of Truth that it will lead us to the One who had, has, and will continue to possess the truth we are desperately in search for today. Romans 1:20 states this perfectly, “For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made…”. How can I tell people that I know the Truth? Well that’s because its not information it’s a Person and His name is Jesus. If I could encourage one thing as we make disciples, it is to take extreme care that we teach this vital aspect of the Gospel message. God is the creator of the universe, and life as we know it would not have existed if it were not for His Word. That makes it a marvelous starting place, indeed! Can you do me a Favor? If these ideas resonate with you, would you:   • REACT. Do something.   • RESPOND. Leave a comment on this post.   • REPOST. Repost this link on Twitter, Facebook or your blog.