Truth or Hoax?
A devotional
about finding the true nature of Christ beyond the conflicts and inconsistencies
of the church.
The
truth or just a hoax? This is exactly what some people are asking about Jesus.
Let’s put ourselves in their place (on the outside looking in). They see so many
different beliefs with faith bashing faith. So how do we get the truth about
Jesus out? Christ asked us to love one another. The word of God refers to us
as a Body. If we take these concepts and put them to work in our lives we will
see results.
Mark 12:31
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
There is none other commandment greater than these.
Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of
Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the
dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
1 Corinthians
12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body
together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: there should
be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for
another.
And whether
one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all
the members rejoice with it.
Here God has
tempered us together. Tempered meaning to mix together, commingle
to unite
- caused the
several parts to combine into an organic structure, which is the body
- to unite
one thing to another
If
we come together, others will fully understand God’s love. People will see the
unity. It is very important that we walk in love for one another and to shine
Christ’s light.
Ephesians
5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself
for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
Acts 13:47
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light
of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Matthew 5:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Also see Mark
4:12, Luke 8:16
Luke 11:33
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither
under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
Today’s society
has to see to believe. Miracles are tested, faith considered silly, and Christians
are criticized. So if we show people God’s love, shine Christ’s light, then we
are living proof. Living proof doesn’t need long debates or lengthy discussions.
If our lives are subject to Christ we have nothing to prove. Christ does our
proving. So don’t use guilt to bring people to Christ, do as He did, shining
his Light.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven.
Let’s think
about this one a little bit. If we confess Christ before men, (friends, coworkers,
acquaintances, etc.) then Christ will confess us before the Father. Intercession
is what Christ will be doing. We will be having our Savior himself praying for
us to God. He will be confessing us.
Confess: (from
the Strongs concordance)
- to say the
same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent
- to concede
- not to
refuse, to promise
- not to
deny
1. confess
2.
declare
3.
to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused
of
a.
to declare openly, speak out freely
b.
to profess one's self the worshipper of one
Good
things will come if we confess. So let’s look at what happens if we don’t confess.
Luke 9:26
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son
of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and
of the holy angels.
Romans 10:11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2 Timothy
1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me
his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God;
Shining our
light, confessing, and not being ashamed is what Christ meant for all of us.
We all get involved with our daily lives and forget what is important. Christ
should be our basis for living. Christ can and will prove himself. This is what
will win souls. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to say or do. Christ has
sent us the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to help us.
Mark 13:11
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand
what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given
you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Luke 12:12
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in
my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled
together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word
of God with boldness.
Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the
Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
You see bringing
people to Christ is what Christ asked us to do. (The Great Commission) When people
see our true hearts our true being, is when they believe. Ever heard people can’t
change? We can’t change but Christ can change us and will. He loves us and wants
us. He will be with us always. No matter what we have done, no matter how bad
of a person we are, God loves us. He sent his son for us. So let’s turn back
on our lights and shine before men. God will do the rest. So if you are reading
this and don’t know Christ and wondered if this is all real, I ask you to pray
this prayer . . .
Dear Heavenly
Father, I see so many different beliefs out there. I am confused which ones are
you. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of
peace, as in all churches of the saints. I ask you to reveal yourself to me as
I open your word and read. I ask you to accept me into the kingdom of heaven.
I open my heart to your son believing him to be my savior. John 3:16 For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I want the truth not the
hoax. I want your light to shine in my life. Change me and mold me and give
me the strength to sustain. Forgive me of my sins and wash me clean. Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.
If you just
prayed that prayer, congratulations. Welcome to the Kingdom of God. I encourage
you to call someone or contact Level Ground
or me at fastrick@idir.net.
Author: MaryAnn
Wood
Date: 3/5/00
