Agent Mulder is right-the truth is out there! Sadly most people are finding a sort of truth in polls. Based on opinions, rather than facts, many decisions are made by us daily, and loosely based on truth. But based on a perception of what we think is truth. Or whatever satisfies our desire at that moment. It seems every night the news, or sports, or whatever has some sort of poll that tries to influence us. For instance, ask an alumni gathering at Harvard which is the best school? Might just be a different answer than from Yale. Or Dartmouth. Do you feel crime is going down? If you just got robbed, it's 100% in your neighborhood. But yet polls, or focus groups are used to design, market, and influence us every day. And people tend to substitute opinions for facts, until the next survey comes around.
Read the small print on the next survey on TV. 1000 people may have been asked. That equates to 1 in every 310,000. Or like asking 7 people in LA how they feel about earthquakes. Or finding that one person in Albuquerque who doesn't like Mexican food and basing a decision on that poll number. Ask a person leaving a funeral if it makes them sad? Gee, I wonder... Ask a Gold Wing Rally how they feel about Hondas? Or a Harley group how they feel about chrome. I think you get the picture-even the polls are suspect, but yet they influence us and our decisions every day.
Imagine CNN and Fox News at Jesus' empty tomb? Was Jesus resurrected like He said He would be? The Christians-both Marys, John, and Peter would give a different poll number. Than would the Gnostics and others who believed He got up and walked away. it is all how you ask the question that influences your answer. How long has it been since you beat your wife? Much different than did you ever beat your wife? And yet, we live our lives based on opinion rather than facts. Are we in a depression or recession? Depressed if unemployed, recession if you are working. Are you depressed or recessed?
Did you know that all lies are based on facts? Not an opinion, either. Ask an Atheist if he believes in hell before death, and if you could after you would get a different answer. He certainly believes in hell after death.
And life is also not a multiple choice test. I could always find the wrongest answer, it was the rightest answer that would avoid me. They all sounded so good. So based on the truth, God gives us a simple test about Himself. The question that someday all will be required to answer. Based on the truth, and not popular opinion at the time. Jesus even asked Peter, "who do you say I am?" And Peter answered, not based on opinions, poll numbers, or perspectives, "though art the Christ." And Jesus replied "you have answered well." He could have said a rabbi, a physician, a caterer, a fisherman, or even an eye doctor. All would have been true. But Jesus came to seek and save those that were lost-He is THE savior, THE Christ! Who do you say He is?
No polls will get you entrance to heaven. Knowing Jesus will. Muslims believe He was a great teacher. Some religions tell you that you have to work your way to heaven. The Jehovah Witnesses deny His deity, and heaven. Mormons tell you He was created as Satan's brother. Only the Bible tells the truth-He is the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sins. He is God-part of the Trinity. So do not let opinions become a burden to you. Seek the truth, and let Him set you free! Let your Yes be yes, and your No be No!
For even the blind man after being given his sight answered, "all I know is that I was blind but now I see!"
Poll question-would you rather go to heaven or hell? If you answered heaven-Jesus is the way. If you answered hell, Jesus is still the way to heaven. Make the right choice-Jesus. No brag-just fact. And let your yes influence others as to the truth. You can have your opinions, I'll stick with the truth.
love with compassion,
Mike