Absolute?

(ab-so-lute) - perfect in itself; fixed; irrevocable

Nothing is absolute! At least that is what some scientists say. Then, others talk about absolute quantities, formulae, etc. And there are philosophers who contend that nothing is black and white - everything is a shade of gray. This seems to be the popular way to think today. All things are relative.

One area in which it is popular to think there are no absolutes is religion. “What I feel is what matters,” say some. Let’s look at some absolute statements about God and what He wants. God Himself says in Exodus 20:23, “I am the Lord your God, which have brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me.” Jesus restated this when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness as recorded in Matthew 4:10. We can see, then, that we can have or worship no other god but Jehovah God. And Hebrews 1:6 says, “...for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” This would dispel the idea that some have about God being dead yet still trying to be religious.

Belief in, and worship of, the one true living God is something absolute. If we settle for less we cannot be pleasing to God. This absoluteness is also true concerning Jesus. Consider these absolute statements made by Jesus or His inspired writers.

Matthew 28:19 - “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” All men must, then, be taught of Christ. We must (absolute) receive the word before we can do anything else.

John 8:24 - “I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sin; for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.”

Luke 13:3 - “I tell you, No; but except you repent, you shall also perish.”

Matthew 10:32 - “Whosoever therefore will confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.”

Mark 16:16 - “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be condemned.”

John 15:6 - “If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

These are absolute statements. None can be neglected. If we accept Jesus as the Christ, we must accept what He says. Don’t you agree? He said, “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life…” in Matthew 7:14. It should be refreshing that there is something absolute for us to turn to - especially when it concerns the eternal salvation of the soul.

Another part of the definition of absolute is “the will or power of the Almighty.” Indeed, His will is absolute. It is for our good. However, we have the power of choice.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony