Good morning: My wife and I were searching Airbnb listings for an upcoming trip. We found dozens of possibilities, and of course each one claimed that it was the cleanest and most comfortable lodging anywhere in the area. Which rental would you choose? Like most people, we began reading the reviews of those who had stayed at each location previously. If there were several positive comments, the home warranted further consideration. If there were 50 or 100+ glowing reviews, the rental shot to the top of our list. After all, how could 100 people be wrong? We assume that the more people who rent a home, patronize a business, or eat at a restaurant, and have a favorable impression, the better it must be. How could so many be wrong? What about 850 people? Could they all be wrong? In 1 Kings 18 we read of the prophet Elijah facing off against 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah. Elijah proposed a test to determine once and for all the identity of the true God. Both Elijah and the false prophets would construct an altar and offer a sacrifice. “The god who answers by fire—he is God” (1 Kings 18:24). You probably recall the outcome. The false prophets cried out, wailed, and slashed themselves with knives all day long, but Baal didn’t hear and never answered. Elijah then had his offering drenched with water before praying, “Answer me, O LORD, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God.” Immediately fire from God incinerated not only the sacrifice, but the stones and soil. The lesson couldn’t be more timely. In our society where great stock is placed in whatever is trending, and businesses and government rely on public opinion polls to shape their attitudes and actions, it is tempting to view spiritual matters the same way. That means assuming if the majority of people think there is nothing wrong in redefining marriage or ignoring it entirely, it must be right. If thousands or millions believe that there are no absolutes and it’s up to each individual to decide what is right for them, it must be the way things are. But Jesus once prayed, “Father, sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). It doesn’t matter whether only one individual or a million believe it, the truth of God remains the truth. What He says is eternally true. What His Law identifies as sin is always sin, no matter how many say and live otherwise. What God reveals about His grace in Christ, how Jesus has done away with the sin of the world by taking it upon Himself, is eternally true. Don’t be swayed or intimidated by the trends and false beliefs of the world. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2). In the end, His Word is what really matters! Yours in Christ, Pastor Our service tomorrow is at 9 a.m. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated, and the adult choir will sing.
