An Absolute Truth: We Will All Die

I recently heard a radio talk show host who took the position that there is no absolute truth and all truth is relative. The host asserted that truth depends on the influence of the culture and environment upon a person. The assertion of no absolute truth is false and one of many vain “doctrines and commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9). We know God’s word is absolute truth. Jesus says in His prayer to God, “Sanctify them through Your word, Your word is truth” (John 17:6). The following is an absolute truth: we will all die once. God says, “and as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment ” (Hebrews. 9:27). Evidence abounds to support the truth of God’s word.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists crashed passenger airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The towers were struck by hijacked Boeing 767 jet planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175. The youngest passenger on the hijacked jets was Christine Hanson on United Airlines Flight 175. She was two and on her first trip to Disneyland. The oldest passenger on the hijacked jets was Robert Norton on American Airlines Flight 11. He was 82. 2,749 death certificates were filed relating to the World Trade Center attacks as of February 2005. Many people unexpectedly died.

Recently, the Minneapolis bridge collapse provided more evidence. Thirteen dead, seventy-nine injured after dozens of vehicles plummeted into the Mississippi River. Sadiya Sahal, who was five months pregnant, was on her way to pick up a friend who needed a ride to work when the bridge collapsed. The nursing student had moved to the Twin Cities from Somalia in 2000. Peter Joseph Hausmann, 47, was a computer security specialist and a former missionary who met his wife, Helen, in Kenya. The evening of the collapse, he was heading to St. Louis Park to pick up a friend for dinner. Many people unexpectedly died.

All the victims did not expect a sudden and premature death. If you were one of these victims, would you be ready to die? We must be reminded of the absolute truth that our lives are short and “like a vapor ” (James 4:14-17). Reading God’s word reminds us of the importance of preparing for the life to come. Are we ready to meet God in judgment? Are we prepared for eternal life? Let’s get our life ready for eternity before our death!

-David Pike

“Into All The World”

"And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ " (Mark 16:15).

Above, we see the mission that Jesus charged just before He ascended into heaven. While it is important to note that it was to the eleven and not all disciples in general, we have still seen the urge that God would have all repent and be saved–and in that we play a part.

We live in a much different world than those eleven did. As technology has grown in just about every dimension, so has our ability to reach the lost. In order for the apostles to spread the gospel to all, they actually had to have some physical presence there, and often it was themselves. This is not the case with us today.

We do not have to travel waters or cross distant deserts to reach a significant portion of the world because much of it is at our fingertips. Many of us use the Internet on a daily basis and so do the lost of the world. This fact presents us with a wonderful opportunity to reach the seeking hearts of the world with Jesus our Savior. Practically all of the religious world has utilized this tool for the sake of saving souls, and so have we. However, the odds of those wandering the endless pages of the Web landing on our site are pretty slim. So, I urge you to direct the seeking souls you know, and even your own, to this excitingly useful resource.

- Jason Budd

The Changeless Gospel

Some people believe the gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be adapted to modern man. They say things are not like they used to be, and therefore, the message must be updated to meet our culture. Let us not forget what Peter wrote as he spoke of “…the word of God which lives and abides forever ” (1 Peter 1:22-23).

Is mankind different now than in the first century? Adultery, homosexuality, filthiness existed then as they do now (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:1-4). Murder, envy, strife, and hatred were problems 2,000 years ago, just as they are now (Galatians 5:19-21). Men are still guilty of covetousness, anger, and blasphemy (Colossians 3:1-8). Thus, sinful man continues to need the same soul-saving message of the gospel.

The changeless gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). It is this word, “the faith, ” which was “once for all delivered ” (Jude 3). The same gospel that saved men long ago will save men today. They must hear and heed the truth to be set free (John 8:32). Believe in Christ, confess Him, repent of your sins, and be baptized for the remission of your sins (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38).

Those who claim the gospel must be updated are challenging God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). Be wary of them while building your faith in the “word of God which lives and abides forever.”

-Steven F. Deaton