Frederich Nietzsche once made the statement that you could tell a lot about a man’s character by how much truth he is willing to tolerate. Even though he was a well known and sometimes quite insane atheist thinker he had a very deep and profound understanding of the human psyche. The only way to fully actualize who we are is by a constant pursuit of truth. The Bible speaks of this in John 8:32 where it says “the truth shall make you free”. This is something that is heard often however rarely is the inevitable and logical consequence of this ever considered. The human problem it creates is that the Truth, in the process of enlightening and setting us free, eviscerates and destroys everything in us that isn’t worthy of it. That destruction is, quite often, accompanied by suffering. We will almost invariably cling to what we shouldn’t be. Sometimes this is because of laziness or ignorance. More often than not, in my opinion, it is because of pride, that omnipresent and ultimate human fallacy from which the continuous well-spring of evil has come since Cain first allowed it to creep into his heart in regards to his brother.

 

In my own life I have found that the greatest renewal often follows the greatest destruction. In Detroit, Michigan, the local government has taken it upon itself to level the most dilapidated and forsaken areas to the removal of the foundations of the houses that formerly stood. When this is done all that is left is fertile ground. Farmers are then allowed to plant crops, the harvest of which is used to feed thousands. While this may sound quite drastic, it was determined that it was the only feasible option for making those areas productive once more. Likewise, in our lives, as we encounter the genuine article of Truth more and more we also begin to realize the fertile ground of our hearts and minds cannot be utilized without first destroying and removing the very foundations upon which we have allowed ourselves to be built. It is only once that painful process is underway that the Truth will spring forth and feed not only us, but everyone around us. Therefore our test is simply this. How far are we willing to allow our hearts to go in order to also permit Truth to take root? Have we merely determined that the extent of our commitment to Christ is equivalent to hanging a new set of curtains in a house that has been long abandoned? Or do we see the real value of His love to the point where we say, “Lord do not just fix one part of my heart, but tear it all down, dig the foundations up, and build me anew.” What price are we willing to pay for this? It is quite evident that most of us are not willing to do the latter because it is simply too painful and inconvenient. I have fallen into this category all too often. I fully believe, at this point in my life however, that it is the only way.

American Christianity is in shambles. Everywhere we turn we see the heart-wrenching evidence of it. What is our solution more than not? It is an even deeper dedication to the very traditions and thought processes that have proven, time and time again, they do not provide anything resembling an answer to the evil that lurks, ever-presently, in the human mind.

 

If one would simply open their eyes and attempt to align what is happening in most of our churches with what Jesus commands they would quickly see how much Truth many Christians can tolerate and what price we are truly willing to pay for it. That price is not very high at all. Where are we individually on this journey? Are we willing for our own “foundation of sand” to be removed so that Christ can take root and feed the world? This must happen if we are to fulfill the Commission Christ gave us. There is no other option. How much Truth can we tolerate?