Truth Seekers and Lovers

Wow, it has been awhile since I let so much time pass between posts. Been a busy run up to Christmas and I haven't been in the office enough I guess. For my first note back, I want to ponder our approach to truth. I read an article this morning about teen drug use beginning to rise again as more and more kids believe that certain drugs aren't harmful. The person in the article states that as their beliefs change, so does their behavior. Now I could write about the relationship of belief and behavior, but what troubled me this morning was the approach to truth. These teens are rejecting certain facts to believe something else. They are not necessarily choosing truth, but choosing what they want to believe. Isn't that us? Isn't that our country these days. And here is my provocative thought, isn't that too often the approach of a lot of Christians? Let's consider. Global warming: What do you believe about this? I know a lot of Christians who think the whole thing is made up. At this point it is Al Gore's issue and therefore they have no use for it at all. But is it true? If you say no, why do you? Do you have proof? Did you investigate? Or did you hear that it isn't from someone who you like or agree with so you decided to believe it? Sounds just like what those kids are doing. Now let me be clear. I am not saying it is true. I honestly don't know. I read many articles from different points of view and try to get a feel for what the data shows. There is bias and political posturing on both "sides" of the issue. I haven't just chosen a side an embraced it because I am interested in the Truth. Do we tend to uncritically believe those we already agree with and automatically discount what those we disagree with have to say? Does that open us up to missing truth and accepting untruth? If the Apostle Paul was preaching this Sunday and made some categorical statements, I think most of us would accept them without question. This is, after all, Paul. But the Bereans weren't like that. They "received the word with great eagerness, and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11) In our churches, in our politics, in our whole lives, we should demonstrate an attitude of truth seeker. Although I trend pretty conservative politically, I have found that sometimes liberals tell the truth and sometimes conservatives can lie. If the Bereans aren't going to give Paul a free pass on blind acceptance, I guess nobody should get one. Check the Bible. Check the data. Let's show the younger generations that we are first and foremost committed and in love with the TRUTH!