Defy the Logic of the Past?2/9/2021 The Super Bowl is one of the largest and most watched sporting events in the world; it often becomes the topic of conversation for a few days. While many watch the Super Bowl, a good number of people, if they’re honest, only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials (I am one of those). Usually, the day after the big game, there is a compilation video of the best ads that were aired.
This year is no different; a compilation video was produced. We laugh at many, gasp at some, and others we totally dismiss. Ultimately, the commercials that are aired during the Super Bowl reflect where our society is at. Just consider Jeep’s commercial. The company used their airtime to make a plea for unity—which is the current political talking point of some. However, the reality is that our nation is anything but united—regardless of how many times it is published in a major newspaper or spoken by a politician. (For more on this, see today’s edition of “The Briefing” with Albert Mohler.) Even so, for some, this is where our nation is at: a place of unity. So, the commercial reflects the current political wave. Likewise, Logitech’s commercial is also a reflection of our society and it is not a good reflection at that. The commercial ends with the words: To create the future, we must defy the logic of the past. We must defy logic. The words are emphatic and while I’m sure we could spend a great deal of time parsing out their statement, I choose to take them at face value. We live in a time when there is no longer a recognition of absolute truth. Now, notice the words I just used…there is no longer a recognition of absolute truth. The failure to recognize something does not negate its reality. You know that and I know that. As a Disciple of Christ, I affirm and embrace the reality of an absolute truth. Any intellectually honest person does, too. For instance, just consider the principle of gravity: “Whatever goes up, must come down.” Gravity is true for everyone, even if one denies its existence. As a Student and College Pastor, I meet students who recognize (and others who deny) the existence of an absolute truth. Why not? The entirety of Gen Z (2000-2015), and now every other living generation, is constantly inundated with contradictory “truth” claims. Just consider these headlines from the SnapChat Stories today (2.9.2021): “My Twin Brother is Now My Sister;” “Love Don’t Judge: We Have 2 Bedrooms—One for Each of My Lovers;” “I’m pansexual, demisexual and non-binary.” All three headlines agree with each other: Your gender, sexual preferences, and the entirety of your life is defined by you and only you. By themselves, and in a world devoid of any absolute truth, these “truths” can be true. However, we know that there is an absolute truth because there is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present Creator (Gen. 1; Col. 1.15-20). This Creator, who is God himself, has made creation to function in a certain way. Unfortunately, in our sinfulness, humans have chosen to exchange the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore, God delivered them over to disgraceful passions (Romans 1.24-26). The Apostle, under the inspiration of the source of truth, went on to write that these passions have led to unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them (Romans 1.29-32). As youth ministry leaders (and parents...if you fit into that category), we must seek to speak the truth God’s Word into the lives of those we have been given the opportunity to lead. When society preaches the Gospel of Gender Fluidity, we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When society preaches the Gospel of whatever “Gospel” is preached today , we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We preach the Gospel of the One who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14.6). We point our young people back to the truth of God’s Word and pray that their hearts and ours would be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward those who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength (Ephesians 1.18-19). As the Lord answers this prayer, we know that he will equip us to share the truth of the Gospel with those who do not yet know him. Friend, there is an absolute truth and here it is:
The truth of the Gospel gives us our true identity, purpose, and direction. The One who has always been, always is, and always will be is the one who defines truth. Not us, as we are here but for a moment. We are not the Creator, but the created; therefore, we must operate under the Creator’s truth. So, who is your source of truth? Is it the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1.15) or is it you, who’s wisdom is ultimately foolish (1 Corinthians 3.19)? -KT __ *Article Updated for syntax and grammar issues on Wed., Feb. 10, 2021. **All Scripture quotations are from the Christian Standard Bible.
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