In a world increasingly drawn to relativism, the notion of absolutes often feels like an ancient relic—a dusty artifact of a bygone era. Yet, when we pause and consider, the very claim that “there are no absolutes” is a profound contradiction. Why? Because to declare that absolutes don’t exist is itself an absolute statement, proving the reality of what it denies.

Let us explore why absolutes matter, how they are rooted in the nature of God, and why acknowledging them is essential for a life of clarity and peace.

The Absurdity of Denying Absolutes

When someone says, “There are no absolutes,” they are, in essence, proposing an absolute truth. The statement is a self-refuting paradox. If it were true, it would mean at least one absolute exists: the absolute claim that there are no absolutes. Such reasoning collapses under its own weight.

Scripture speaks to the reality of absolutes because they are woven into the fabric of creation by a God who is absolute in His being. Consider Psalm 119:89: “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens” (BSB).

God’s Word is not subject to the whims of human opinion or cultural shifts. His truth is immutable, unchanging, and eternal—an absolute foundation upon which we can safely build our lives.

The Source of Absolutes: God’s Nature

Absolutes exist because they flow from the character of God Himself. He is the ultimate standard of truth, goodness, and justice. Malachi 3:6 affirms this:“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not destroyed” (BSB).

God’s unchanging nature ensures that there are fixed realities in this universe—laws, principles, and truths that remain constant regardless of time or place.

Moral absolutes, for instance, derive their authority from God’s holiness. Isaiah 5:20 warns against the perils of rejecting these standards:“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter!” (BSB).

When we dismiss absolutes, we blur the line between right and wrong, creating chaos and confusion.

Absolutes and Human Flourishing

Far from being restrictive or oppressive, absolutes provide the boundaries necessary for true freedom and flourishing. Imagine a world without absolutes in mathematics, science, or even basic morality. Chaos would ensue. A bridge built without the absolute principles of physics would collapse; a society without absolute laws would spiral into anarchy.

Jesus Himself declared,“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, BSB). True freedom comes not from discarding absolutes but from embracing the One who embodies truth—Christ Himself. He is the perfect revelation of God’s character, the living demonstration of absolute love, righteousness, and justice.

Standing Firm in a Shifting Culture

As believers, we are called to hold fast to the absolutes revealed in God’s Word, even in a culture that scorns them. Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (BSB). Clinging to the truth may not be popular, but it is the only path to genuine peace and eternal significance.

Conclusion: A Life Built on Truth

To deny absolutes is to deny reality, but to embrace them is to align ourselves with the eternal purposes of our Creator. God’s unchanging truth is the anchor that keeps us steady amid the storms of relativism. Let us live confidently, knowing that His Word is firmly fixed, His nature unchanging, and His truth eternal.

So, the next time someone claims there are no absolutes, lovingly remind them that the very breath they use to make that claim is proof of the absolutes that govern life—truth, logic, and the immutable nature of God. Rest in these certainties, for they are the foundations of hope and the pillars of faith.

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