ABSOLUTE TRUTH IS TRUE FOR ALL PEOPLE, FOR ALL PLACES, AND FOR ALL TIME.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Philippians 4:8.
Verse of the Day: “Fix your thoughts on what is true” (Philippians 4:8).
Sean looked at his father. “Daddy, who was the greatest hockey player ever?”
Dad shrugged. “Some people would say Wayne Gretzky. Others might say Gordie Howe.”
Sean looked puzzled. “Does anybody know for sure?”
“People have different opinions about those things,” Dad said.
“Oh,” Sean said. He sounded disappointed as he started to walk away.
“Wait,” Dad said. He motioned for Sean to come back. “That’s the way it is with some things. Some people think one thing and some people think another thing, and no one is necessarily right or wrong. They just have different opinions.”
Sean nodded.
“But some things are absolute truths. That means they are true for all people, for all places, and for all time. For example, Sean, we have a rule in our family that you’re not allowed to ride your bike in the street, right?”
“Yup,” Sean answered.
“But that’s not an absolute truth because it’s not true for all people.”
“Yeah,” Sean answered immediately. “Nick’s allowed to ride in the street,” he said, referring to his older brother.
Dad nodded. “Is it true for all places?”
Sean shook his head. “I can ride my bike on the sidewalk.”
Dad smiled. “You’re right; that rule is not true for all places. And it’s not true for all time, either, because when you get older, Mom and I will let you ride in the street just like we let Nick ride there now.” He paused. “So even though you would be doing wrong if you disobeyed us and rode your bike in the street, that rule isn’t an absolute truth. But Mom and I have also taught you that it’s wrong to lie, right?”
Sean nodded.
“Is it true for all people?” Dad asked.
“Yes,” Sean answered slowly. “Everybody should tell the truth.” Dad nodded. “Is it true for all places and for all times?” Sean nodded.
“I’ll never be ‘old enough’ to lie!”
“That’s the difference between opinions or rules and absolute truth-absolute truth is true for all people, for all places, and for all time.”
“Even for Nick?” Sean asked.
Dad smiled. “Even for Nick.”
TO DISCUSS: Which of the following are true for all people, for all places, and for all time: “Do not steal,” “No right turn on red,” “Love your neighbor,” “Do not murder,” “Eat all your vegetables”? Why?
TO PRAY: “God, help us to remember what is true for all times and for all people.”
