Perspective – a particular attitude towards
or way of regarding something; a point of view (OED). I find this a curious
concept; a person makes decisions based on their perspective which is
determined by their education and experiences. As scientists we are trained to
try and view data objectively only stating the facts of what we find and
subsequently relating it to previous observations. Making decisions based on
our own or some other person’s perspective seems to me to be very dangerous. My
education and experience are not the same as yours and it can never be the
same. However, in most aspects of life we face similar decisions. So, if that
is the case there should be a standard by which decisions should be made. Then,
what is the standard? Social doctrines of today would have us believe that each
of us make our own standards leading to each person having their own truth. I
find this nerve-racking. I’ve heard pilots say if they worked with this idea
flying would cease to be safe. Likewise, in life there needs to be a fixed
standard that originates from an unbiased perspective.
Truth, “what is truth?” a man once asked not
waiting for the answer (John 18:38), Truth is that fixed standard that we need
that has an unbiased perspective. It overlooks all of us and sees things as
they are not as we want them to be. As Bible believers we believe that truth is
in the Scriptures. This book that has remained largely unchanged and verifiably
so, contains truth. Its predictive descriptions give us confidence that its principles
for life and salvation are truth; and when put into unwavering practice we have
living proof of its validity (2 Peter 1:16-19). I’ve heard the comparison being
made that the way to salvation is like blind men attempting to describe an
elephant, some getting a hold of the leg, others the tail, some the ears and
some the trunk, with no one having the full concept. I find this analogy
offensive. How fair would God be if He left us groping around in the dark with
no way to know if we are even facing the right direction? How can we all be heading
to the same destination with so many different concepts of how to get there?
This is lunacy! The Bible tells us clearly how to achieve this goal – Jesus
said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
I saw a counter-political slogan recently
that bothered me it said, “Make Lying Wrong Again”. It’s a very true statement,
lies seem to be an acceptable way of life among humanity, that needs to be
smothered. However, the reason it bothered me, is because the socio-political
group behind this encourages lying within their own ranks. Lack of adherence to
the unbiased truth of God is lying. Invoking God’s principles while not
following them is, to me, the worse kind of lying – hypocrisy. Jesus spoke to
this advising that we remove the beams in our own eyes before assisting our
brother with the mote in his (Matthew 7:5; Luke 6:42).
I submit that most of us have one
particularly massive beam in our own eyes – an obsession with our own
perspectives – pride and selfishness. We are utterly incapable of seeing life
for what it is because we get stuck behind our varyingly priced educations and
experiences. This needs to be dealt with first. We need to adopt God’s truth
because it comes from a panoramic point of view. He sees all and knows all and
above all, made us all so he knows what we all require. He gave us Ten
commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) that when faithfully followed, and all of life is
processed through them, make life peaceful and happy for all. But until we take
on this perspective it is best that accusations not be made because it will
only lead to strife and bitterness (Philippians 2:3).
With Love
A Little Leaven
Come Search with Me - Scrutiny of Relativism & Pluralism
