Facts Are Stubborn Things
I was watching C-Span the other day when I went home
for lunch. One of the Senators was talking and he quoted the above statement
from John Adams. Here is the full sentence made by John Adams, "Facts are
stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the
dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and
evidence." Indeed facts are stubborn things. We look at biblical facts and
they are very stubborn things to have to deal with. Especially when you try to
make error fit with biblical facts. For instance, Jesus is the Son of God. Some
try to deny the fact, by saying he was merely a good man. Yet how could
he be a good man and lie to us about who he is. "For I have come down
from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is
the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given
me, but raise it up on the last day." Yet if we say he was not a liar,
then he would have to be delusional, a lunatic, crazy. So he is either a liar or
a lunatic or Lord. "Facts are stubborn things." Or take the case of
baptism as one of the conditions of salvation. Jesus said, "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be
condemned." Or consider the words of Peter the apostle, "And
Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins;
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Quite plainly we see
the necessity of baptism and repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Yes indeed,
"Facts are stubborn things." People want to try talk away what God
says. But beloved, when God speaks the facts of his will, and then we to try to
deny such, is like running into a brick wall. For as was said long ago by
President Adams, "Facts are stubborn things."
