Hot Topics and The Truth

Jonah preaching in Nineveh  by. Gustav Dore

When it comes to the plethora of issues that are front and center in culture today, that are considered to be the “hot topics” in society, those of us with the “Christian worldview” can feel tempted to just go along with the crowd. Accept things as is, because it is for starters easy, and secondly it's non-confrontational by the initial inception. We may even be neutral on the subject, not have any feelings either way or not find relevance to the subject at hand. 

But we are called to be “the pillar and support of the truth” 1 Timothy 3:15 Standing on the hard issues firmly, whether it is of the popular opinion or not.

So what does that look like for the Christian of the modern era? 

The same as it did for Christians in the past. When we look at the history of the Christian church, even from the biblical accounts, we see that they were bold and courageous, standing on the truth of God’s Word regardless of what culture or the state had to say about it. Even if it meant certain death. “There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes Chapter 1

Today, as culture becomes even more morally deficient, accepting lies over the truth, suppressing the truth, and exchanging the truth for lies (Romans 1), we must stand firm; be unshakeable! To do so, we must know “The Word of Truth”. 

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Correct hermeneutics (see below chart) must be considered!

Using the proper way of interpretation is vital to knowing the truth and standing firmly on it. An exegetical approach to interpretation would be correct in using the scriptures to interpret scripture, using the scriptures in context, and not inserting our own eisegesis, ideas, or philosophy, into the biblical interpretation. That is why the church is in such a mess today and leaning more to the cultural side of morality. This is due to the biblical ignorance from not only the average church member but also from the pulpit. 

When we stray from the truth we are headed in the direction of death James 5:19-20. Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Jesus is the “Truth”. We see in John 1 that He is the Word incarnate, the living embodiment of God in the flesh, both fully God and fully man. To deny that truth is to be destined eternally to hell, experiencing the full wrath of God. Jesus said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”  So we see here that the truth is God’s Word; the only sure truth of reality when it comes to morality and purity. Thus, making it easy to see why Jesus is called the Truth as well. He was the only person to be truly, morally pure. 

For us Christians, we must see the importance of knowing the truth. Knowing the scriptures in the proper context and interpretation. Knowing how to give answers to those “hot-topic issues” of today. Study your bible, don’t just read it. And do it daily. 

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Check out our study tools tab to help you with your bible study. And look for upcoming content on the website.

Over the next few months, we plan to be posting blogs on some hot-topic issues. We’ll be breaking them down biblically in short, concise, and direct ways with guidance through the scriptures and providing other resources to help you go deeper into the topics. Look for content from EOM on hot topics such as homosexuality, abortion, marriage, sex, roles of males and females in the home and the church. Also others on what most would call the little things, such as denominations, bible translations, politics, the law, work, food & drink, etc.