Locomotive of truth

Pastor Arnie Wyllie

We live in a world of change. That is not big news. The world has been changing since God created our earth. The real news is that our world now dramatically changes much more quickly than before. It was not long ago that it would be unthinkable to know that, every year, approximately 46 million abortions are performed worldwide. There was a time when students and teachers could pray together in public schools. Prayer, in Jesus’ name, was expected at graduation ceremonies. Marriage relationships and families just aren’t what they used to be. Nativity scenes were a common sight in our public area. Some communities have banned all public Bible-based Christmas scenes. We thank God for our High ‘Prayer-ie’ municipal officials. How do we process right and wrong in a world where there are no absolutes? Why would anyone want to believe that Jesus alone is what every person really needs? Why would anyone want to believe that Jesus alone is what every person really needs, in this life and to enter Heaven? In our Bible, Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) If you are a person who does not believe that there is absolute “true truth”, then Jesus is not for you. The current “relative” thought patterns for most North Americans opposes any mention of a truth that is unchanging and applies to every person on this planet. Christians know that there in only one way to ensure that you will live eternally in Heaven. Christians also know that there are countless millions of ways to make sure that a person can exist eternally in hell. We call Jesus “Savior”. He alone saves us from the eternal consequence of sin, which is hell. As Savior, He alone offers the gift of eternal life, with Him, in Heaven. Our Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Where do you put your faith? Do you put your faith in the changing, emotional truths that are relative to you and your situation? Do you put your faith in what “feels good”? Sin “feels good” for the moment. You can choose to sin, but by doing so, you are also choosing the consequence or “wages” of sin. You can choose to deny your need for a Savior, but by doing so, you are also choosing not to accept His gift of eternal life. Think of yourself as riding an old-fashion train, one that is driven by a steam locomotive. Steam locomotives used coal for fuel. Your train has only three cars, the locomotive, the coal car, and the caboose. A crew of two people is required to operate a steam locomotive. One, the driver, is responsible for controlling the locomotive and the other, the fireman, is responsible for the fire and steam pressure. You are the fireman. You job is to shovel the coal into the engine, to generate power. It would be foolish to throw your coal into the caboose. The caboose has no means by which it can generate power to move the train. Now — think of the fuel, the coal, as your faith. Where would you throw your faith? The engine would be “facts” or “absolute truth”. The caboose would be “feelings” or “relative truth”. Knowing this, where will you “shovel” your faith? Again, it would be foolish to place your faith in the “caboose of feelings”. Feelings, like non-absolute truth, change to suit the situation. Feelings do not generate any reliable power to see you through life and assure you of eternal life in Heaven. By placing your faith in the “locomotive of facts”, you are placing your faith in the truth - absolute truth. Jesus is the Driver. He knows the way. He is the truth. Only Jesus has life. Remember our Scripture: Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Christ is the sinner’s way to the Father and to Heaven. He is the truth, believing which; sinners come to Him. He is the Life, by whose life-giving Holy Spirit; the dead in sin are made alive. All who know Christ by faith know the Father. By faith, we have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. All who trust in this truth have the assurance of an eternal home, with Jesus, the Driver of the “locomotive of truth”.