Affirmation or Information?

Which of the words above attracts your attention?  And, as you are thinking, I will admit to a bias here.  When I read something on Facebook, see something on TV, hear something in a conversation, and (especially) hear a political ad making a claim, I want to know the facts.  My "go-to" position on all of these sources is to not believe them until I see evidence.  What about you?

So ... I have a pet peeve about the title of this blog.  My annoyance is that we, too often, want affirmation, not information.  The Jews in Acts 18 (Paul is verbally attacked and accused of teaching what was contrary to the Jewish Law) seek affirmation of what they have always done.  Paul teaches from the Scripture and the words of the Jewish Prophets, but the religious leaders will not listen.  They have no desire to examine and debate the information Paul is providing.  Instead, they want Paul to affirm them and their tradition.  But don't be too harsh ... the same thing happens in 2024 America!

First, we live in a world that worships affirmation.  Our children are affirmed by getting a trophy for participation.  I am always astounded when I see statistics on reading levels.  Quora states that 54% of American adults between the ages of 16 and 74 read below 6th-grade reading standards.  Have we educationally affirmed (passed people up the line) our children and adults into this deplorable situation?  Do we affirm behaviors that actually make those behaviors worse?  San Francisco has a $5 million program to provide "managed-alcohol" to the homeless to "stabilize" drinking patterns (Newsnation).  If you have ever been in an addiction, you realize the tragic end of this affirmation.

Second, we live in a world that is reluctant to hear the truth.  The Jews in Paul's day didn't want to hear his expression of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and actively tried to suppress it (Acts 18:12-13).  I have a friend, in the Global Methodist Church, who was told not to speak at a funeral (held in a United Methodist Church) because they feared what he "might" say.  There is a famous quote at the end of the movie, A Few Good Men, where Jack Nicholson's character shouts "You can't handle the truth."  I had a dialogue with one of our classes about their embarking on the study of The Revelation.  I am excited by this because they are desiring to go Higher Up and Deeper In."  My only caveat, in advising them on materials, is ... "Be willing to look at the actual truth regarding eschatological literature."  Our Southern-influenced view of The Revelation has been off-base for many years, and information, not affirmation, can result in truth, understanding, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we live in a world that is being "blown about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14)."  Paul said this happens when we "walk in the vanity of our mind (Ephesians 4:17)!"  And there it is ... our mind supplanting the mind of Christ.  Our mind supplanting Scripture.  Our mind affirming our own understanding and rejecting God's good plan.  Our mind sending us toward our purpose rather than God's will.

Biblical judgment isn't about receiving a participation trophy.  It is about a very just and holy God seeing straight into our hearts.  That is the God of Matthew 25, where Jesus provides one of 2 answers.  The first is directed to proud people who have ignored God's priorities.  Jesus says, "I never knew you."  The second is, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father."  Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those with pure hearts, those who make peace, and those who are persecuted because they love righteousness.  People, I pray, like you!  AMEN