Jude 1: 8a — If Only

Tropical beach scene with hammock between to palm trees.

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams …

What do people stand on if they are not standing on the Truth? I have heard it said that there are different kinds of truth: objective truth, personal truth, and political truth. But the only truth that matters, after everything else is said and done, it eternal truth.

Personal “truths” are known as opinions. Opinions change. There is no personal truth that survives a person’s lifetime.

Political “truths” are also temporary. The only political “truth” is power. Who has it and how much do they have? If someone with more power comes along, then their “truth” becomes the reigning political truth.

Objective “truth” is more stable and enduring than these other two, but objective truth relies on our ability to observe and reason. What was objective truth fifty years ago is often just a quaint old fashioned way of looking at things today.

The truth that matters exists now, has existed for all time and will continue to exist through eternity.

God’s Word tells us the only eternal truth that there is. Why? Because when all is is finally said and done, God has the last word. He has all the power. He never changes.

And yet … people proclaim “truth” based on nothing more than dreams. What kind of dreams? Dreams of a perfect world. Dreams of a place where everyone gets along. Dreams of always being happy and never being afraid. If only…

If only we could make everyone the same.

All of us are different. We all have different dreams. It is nice to encourage someone to “follow their dreams” when the dream takes them to a better place. It is wrong to place your hopes in another human’s idealistic dream when what you need is something only God can provide.

Application: Choose your dream wisely. Choose eternity with God through Jesus Christ.

Food for Thought: What is the difference between what the Bible says and what the world dreams of?

9 Replies to “Jude 1: 8a — If Only”

  1. I think you said it very well here brother. The worlds dreams are temporary, fleeting, illusive and often a lie. Gods word last forever Isaiah 40: 8.

    1. The grass withers and the flowers fall,
      but the word of our God endures forever.

      — Isaiah 40: 8

      Poetic and absolutely true! Thanks!

  2. Well said guys.
    I was at the parole office in Oregon City, talking with people about the Bible and offering them an opportunity to join our freedom from addiction program at church. One man replied to me, “ I’m an atheist.“ I replied “ really, hows that working out for you?” After a moment he laughed and told me “not well right now.
    I sat down beside and asked him, ” seriously, can I ask you a question, how did you decide it was a good idea to be an atheist, did you do a lot of study, read a book, take a class,?” He said he had just decided there was no God himself. I told him he should think about that, and he was always welcome. Never saw him again.

    Genesis 11:4, They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” ( HOW DID THAT WORK OUT).

    1. Ron,
      I love reading your stories! “How did that work out?” indeed! What a great question! 🙂 It was interesting this year watching Bernie Sanders selling socialism while in the background the people of Venezuela, a socialist “paradise,” fought over rats so that they could have something to eat. The question you ask is ignored, and only the dream is discussed. The sweet, idyllic, enticing, and unrealistic dream.

  3. This was really powerful to read Jeff & everyone in the comments as well, glad I hoped on, very encouraging. Thanks guys, glad this is still up and running even if I don’t frequent it as often as I would like. It’s crazy to think that the Truth, this eternal Truth – is alive, and that it also loves us, that God loves us. This just blows my mind to understand. God bless brothers.

  4. NMOP3PISdn,
    Thanks for stopping in! I’ve missed reading your comments. I hope you are doing well and I hope you drop in again soon!

    1. We are blessed Jeff. A fine Pastor with a servants heart, a gifted, persistent man who started TTMB two years ago, translating Christianese into English, and an old man who was ordered by a judge into the Marine Corps or jail as a 17 year old gang banger.
      Our God blessed each one of us by calling us to Christ, empowering each with the Holy Spirit and blessing us with jobs in His kingdom now. Every moment serving our lord is the greatest pleasure of my life, and to be walking with brothers going the same direction is icing on the cake.

  5. Good stuff here. Thank you all. And Ron, powerful story. Thank you for sharing it.

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