The Importance of Being Certain

You know... it seems to me that the acceptable thing with 'spirituality' these days is to be in process, still searching out and trying to discover what is truth. It is good to be investigating what truth is out there. To be a seeker is to be part of a large and even distinguished group of people who are finding truths to be all over the place. To be a seeker is to be a tolerant and open person who is willing to accept whatever truth may be out there.

The taboo of our day is to claim that you have finally discovered it.

For reasons that go beyond my understanding... once you claim to have found the truth you immediately go from being 'open and tolerant' to being 'narrow-minded and ignorant'. You are scoffed at by the tolerant who label you arrogant. It is as if there were no way truth could be found - and how presumptuous of you to claim the contrary.

Yet God calls us to be certain of truth. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." On the surface this certainty may seem empty and shallow. After all how can we be certain of what is hoped for and unseen? With out doubt this is a stumbling block to those intellectuals who need something tangible and testable in order to know truth.

But for those who believe, we have experienced some immeasurable things that are unseen - nor are they see-able. We have the inner working of the Holy Spirit who is the deposit which guarantees our inheritance. We have had our conscience cleansed by Him, our soul washed clean and our spirit regenerated. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we have been redeemed; adopted as sons and daughters of the living God. We can feel His presence and hear His voice. There is no method available to the world to record and observe this work of the Spirit. Nothing testable or verifiable to say to the skeptic this is how I know I have found the truth. Nothing that says, "This is a picture of my soul before the Holy Spirit and this is my soul after the Holy Spirit does His work."

Yet, once you have experienced this work of the Spirit in your life you cannot help but say, "I have found the truth!" Our proof is in the transformation of our lives. Without living a transformed life the world will always doubt our truth claims. Holy living, love for the world, grace, mercy and justice become our tangible proof of the certain truth of the Gospel. There is nothing left for them to deny when they see Christ in us.

So do not be afraid to be certain of the work God has done in your life. Moreover, do not be afraid to live out that work in your life with certainty!