testimony

The Value of Truth

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

Not everyone who knew Jesus agreed with him. Obviously. There was a group who arrested him, put him on trial and killed him. But before they killed him, religious leaders would ask him questions with the hopes of trapping him into sharing false teachings. These men weren’t interested in being taught by Jesus. Their goal was to stir up the crowd to rally against the Promised Messiah standing there in human form. And because of their hatred and fear of him, they wanted to pressure him into backing down from sharing his message. Oh. He knew their game. So he was always ready to throw their misinformation back in their face. But he confronted their lies with compassion and kindness.

Jesus’ message was intimidating to those who didn’t understand it. So people would intentionally misinterpret it. They would spread lies about what he did and didn’t say. They tried to shame him and shun him. But the world couldn’t keep Jesus quiet. He continued to proclaim his message of hope and forgiveness, even when the crowds moved against him. Even when the leaders were pushing to have Jesus banned from the temple, he continued sharing the good news of salvation.

On multiple occasions the Pharisees accused Jesus of wrongdoing. Once they accused him of breaking the law of Moses because his disciples pulled ears of corn from the stalk and ate it on the Sabbath. Another time, when Jesus healed a blind and mute man, the Pharisees accused him of healing in the name of Satan. A third time, they demanded that Jesus show them a miraculous sign to prove his authority.

Still another time, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about divorce. They were, once again, hoping to trip him up on the subject. He had talked openly about divorce in another sermon, and they wanted to see if he had changed his stance on it. He directed them back to the Scriptures with his response. They countered with a quote from the law of Moses, and Jesus in turn answered again straight from Scripture.

Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8

We would do good to remember that the Bible places the blame for divisions on the ones bringing in the false doctrine, not on those who call it out.

Alisa Childers

As believers, we must be willing and able to have conversations with those who oppose our biblical beliefs. We must be ready to sit down and share our faith. We must be able to give a reason for the hope that we have. That means we must read and study the Bible. There are no excuses to not know what we believe. Because in sharing the truth of God’s love, we may lead someone to faith in God. Perhaps our willingness to engage in uncomfortable conversations with an unbeliever will lead them to repentance.

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

We shouldn’t shy away from engaging in conversation with those who disagree with us. But we also must be prepared to engage when the opportunity comes our way. We have no option but to read and study the Word of God, in order to speak truth into the lives of those we see on a regular basis. Let’s take up the challenge of opening our Bibles on a daily basis. I’m just going to say it like it is. We take all the time we want to scroll through social media or binge watch our latest show or sports event, so why can’t we take time to read the Word of God every day? Why can’t we? If we’re not studying to be more like God, how can we know him and how can we know what we believe? How can we intelligently argue in favor of God when we don’t take time for him?

If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15

What Do They Say

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

There he was. Hanging on a cross. For the world to see. Oh. Some who witnessed his death were followers of The Way. Others had ridiculed him. Pronounced him guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. Wanting to witness the takedown of a man who stood for everything they were against. And so he died. There on the cross.

There were some witnesses who hadn’t quite made up their minds where they stood on the issue of his guilt. They had witnessed his arrest. They knew when he was dragged to court that the charges were all heresay. But they stood silent. And when the beatings started, they stood in agreement with the brutality. But in their hearts, they doubted his guilt. Oh. They knew they must keep quiet. Or they too would reap the anger and violence upon themselves. So they kept quiet. But they still doubted. They saw innocence when those in authority were pointing the finger of guilt.

So they continued with their charade. Forcing an innocent man up the path to Calvary, carrying a cross that was too heavy to bear. Imagine being those soldiers. How many times did they doubt the guilt of those they were leading to their death. Most likely, not too often. But on this day, there was doubt. and confusion. But they continued on the path to the trio of crosses.

Perhaps some of these soldiers had witnessed miracles this man had performed. Perhaps they drank the wine of his first miracle at that wedding. Perhaps they had seen Lazarus, who had been dead for two days, walk out of that tomb. Or maybe they had seen the paralyzed man leap off his mat and begin walking. But they spoke not a word of what was in their hearts.

Oh. There were mockers in that platoon of soldiers. You see. Not all believed who he was. So they shouted insults and taunted him. They created a crown from a branch of thorns and shoved it on his head. They even dressed him in a purple robe. Not out of respect, but in jest. And when they were finished with the mockery, they led him to be crucified. No dignity. No respect. No honor.

There were those who taunted him. They threw his own words back at him. In his face. You said you were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Come down from the cross and save yourself. Even those who were crucified with him ridiculed him.

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39

But at some point, the tone shifted. To a certain degree. One thief nailed on a cross next to Jesus continued to hurl insults at him. But the thief on the other side believed. We’re going to die right along with this King of the Jews. He hasn’t even done anything wrong. He asked Jesus to remember him as he moved from life to death. And Jesus assured him that he would have a place in paradise that day.

When the Roman officer who stood facing Jesus saw how he had died, he exclaimed that he truly was the Son of God. He had witnessed the entire crucifixion scene. He saw the tenderness of Jesus’ interaction with the thieves and with his mother. This soldier knew he was seeing God in action. He believed.

It makes me wonder. When I’m going through my toughest week and my life is on the line, what do those who are against me see? When those who have ridiculed and taunted me see me at my weakest, what are they saying about me? When they see me struggling in troubled and difficult times, do they say to themselves, “Truly, this is a child of God.” Or do they wonder if I’m all talk with no action in my faith.

Is my life consistent with the words that I say? Do my actions speak louder than my words? If my life was on the line, would others recognize the work of God in my life? What do others see in me that I’m not aware of?

There are those who deny the existence of God. There are those who doubt the creation story. There are those who are  unwilling to bow to a holy God. There are those who watch from the sidelines but back away from the truth.  But they watch the believers. They see the actions. They hear the words. They listen but their hearts are hardened to the truth. Unwilling to sacrifice their will and lay their soul on the line.

They see believers in their hardest days. They watch as believers walk their most painful steps. They hear the testimony of the faithful followers of the Way. They are watching. They are listening.

When you face disappointment or unfairness. When you are persecuted and ridiculed. When you are innocent but found guilty. Will they say of you in those moments, surely, this is a child of God?