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.”
—Dan McKibben; via whatsaiththescriptures.com (edited)
