The Quest For Truth
Post-modern society appears to have given up the quest for truth in almost every area outside of certain hard sciences dealing with technology. We have witnessed an unprecedented growth in technological prowess with its accompanying gadgets seducing the culture like some medieval wizard casting a spell. Indeed much of the culture today gives every indication of being "spellbound" regarding our attachment to our personal devices; giving an outward appearance of social interaction, but in reality further isolating us. In the area of ethics and morality and especially religion we are experiencing an ever increasing slide into the belief that each person is free to hold their own "truth". The fact that two contradictory opinions can be held by the same person at the same time is no grounds for rejecting or even questioning such a position based on violations of the laws of logic, but rather is viewed as a sign of sophistication.
Throughout the bible, God's people are warned about deception. From the prophets of the Old Covenant to the Apostles of the New Covenant, the words of the Lord Jesus are echoed in the pages of Holy Scripture: "see that no man deceives you." The Apostle John tells us to "test every spirit" and the rest of the Apostles further instruct God 's people in the truth so that we will not be led astray. When it comes right down to it, the quest for truth is to be conducted primarily by referencing Scripture, for God's Word is truth. Furthermore, truth is personified in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the 'way, the life and the truth," so that every effort to gain more knowledge and wisdom concerning His Person and Work will yield an abundant harvest of righteousness and spiritual fruit while keep us from error. With so many voices vying for our attention and the power of modern media to disseminate information, including error at record speed, God's people more than ever need to learn to look to and trust Scripture to keep us on the 'narrow way" leading to eternal life.
The ministries of the Church are meant to equip and encourage the saints to be "salt and light" in our culture, to be effective witnesses of the grace and mercy of God and to warn those on the "broad road" leading to perdition. God has also raised up "watchmen" to help keep the flock of God from the innumerable enemies that seek, like wolves, to devour the sheep. These brethren have spent countless hours analyzing the latest spiritual movements, to help keep the saints of God walking in the truth. We are reminded by Jude that we should "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" and to do that we need to take advantage of those who have done "yeoman's" work in our quest for truth.