Feb 2, 2020 “The Bible Sure Things”
As always I walk away blessed from my Pastor’s preaching and today hit topics close to my heart. I am very thankful my church preaches from God’s word found in the King James Bible. I am filled with gratitude when God hears my cries for help and answers them with his word.
This morning the title of the message was “The Bible Sure Things”
Although the following is not the sermon but what God has put on my heart to search out and write about to my readers.
Today we are living in times of “fluidity” –
1828 Websters Dictionary states – FLUID’ITY, noun The quality of being capable of flowing; that quality of bodies which renders them impressible to the slightest force, and by which the parts easily move or change their relative position without a separation of the mass; a liquid state; opposed to solidity. fluidity is the effect of heat.
1994 Merriam-Webster states – Gender fluidity is the ability to freely and knowingly become one or many of a limitless number of genders, for any length of time, at any rate of change. Gender fluidity recognizes no borders or rules of gender.
In today’s society, we even have moral fluidity. At this time does not have a definition found in the dictionary but yet if we google it, it’s easily identified. As I have found on the site: Ethics Daily – Oct. 15, 2018
Younger generations in the U.S. are more likely to see morality as fluid and changing, according to a Barna Group report released Oct. 9.
When asked whether they agreed with the statement, “What is morally right and wrong changes over time based on society,” 24 percent of Gen-Z (born 1999 to 2015) respondents agreed.
By comparison, 21 percent of Millennials (born 1984 to 1998), 18 percent of Gen-X (1965 to 1983) and 12 percent of Boomers (born 1946 to 1964) did so.
A similar trend was found when presented with the statement, “What is morally right or wrong depends on what an individual believes.”
This view was held by 23 percent of Millennials, followed by Gen-Z (21 percent), Gen-X (18 percent) and Boomers (17 percent).
Generational differences on these broad perspectives were also reflected when respondents expressed their views on specific moral issues.
For example, 61 percent of Elders (born before 1946) said that lying is morally wrong, while only 34 percent of Gen-Z agreed.
Of the five specific issues presented in the survey, the only one without a notable difference between the oldest and youngest generations was regarding the morality of sex before marriage.
Twenty-two percent of both Elders and Boomers strongly agreed that “sex before marriage is morally wrong,” compared to 26 percent of Gen-X, 19 percent of Millennials and 21 percent of Gen-Z.
“Young Americans have come of age in an incredibly complex world with access to more information and ideas than any other generation before them. They are also the most diverse generation in history,” the report said. “These realities have not only broadened their horizons and sources of input, but inculcated a deep sense of empathy. For instance, Gen Z as a whole are generally opposed to challenging others’ beliefs, likely driven by a desire to avoid offense or to acknowledge the value of other perspectives.”
We are now living in a time of no absolutes and everything relative.
absolutes as defined in 1828 by Webster is: Existing independent of any other cause
relative as defined in 1828 Not absolute or existing by itself; considered as belonging to or respecting something else.
So, what can one do to find truth and where can we find absolutes? Praise God, we can always rely on God’s word as our truth, set of standards to live by and our absolute. So how do I know this as truth – easy because God’s word is sure.
1828 Websters Dictionary – sure:
1. Certain; unfailing; infallible.
The testimony of the Lord is sure Psalms 19:7:
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
We have also a more sure word of prophecy. 2 Peter 1:10:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
2. Certainly knowing, or having full confidence.
We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth– Romans 2:2:
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
Now we are sure that thou knowest all things. John 16:30:
Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.”
3. Certain; safe; firm; permanent.
Thy kingdom shall be sure to thee. Daniel 4:26:
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.”
4. Firm; stable; steady; not liable to failure, loss or change; as a sure covenant. 2 Samuel 23:5. Nehemiah 9:38. Isaiah 28:16:
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.”
And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.”
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
The Lord will make my lord a sure house. 1 Samuel 25:28:
“I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.”
So we say, to stand sure to be sure of foot.
5. Certain of obtaining or of retaining; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.
6. Strong; secure; not liable to be broken or disturbed.
Go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Math.27:
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.”
7. Certain; not liable to failure. The income is sure
To be sure or be sure certainly. Shall you go? be sure I shall.
Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure 2 Peter 1:10:
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
SURE, adverb Certainly; without doubt; doubtless.
Perhaps you are thinking, why do I refer back to the 1828 Websters dictionary so often and the reason is simple: in 2020, I have found we are so removed from God’s truth and set of standards that I need to go back to a time where those standards were seen in our society. And for me it’s shown clearly in the 1828 Websters dictionary that God’s word and set of standards were being used.
May you continue to search the word of the living God and lean not unto your own understanding.
Lean Not Unto My Own Understanding 