11/29/2025
Do you understand that Jesus Christ had to die in order to secure your redemption, or do you think that He was just a mythological character meant to describe morality to us in a how-to book called the Bible? Friends, let me assure you that the account is real, and not just a story; it is the single greatest event to occur since creation... and is complete with all the miracles, wonders, suffering, awe, and yes, death that we read about in scripture.
“"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
John 16:12-14 ESV
In this Politically Correct (PC), feel good, world we live in today any reference to the reality of suffering is being systematically eliminated, and the Bible is just another PC target of that agenda. This isn’t a modern dilemma but has been going on since the early 1900s when Pastor Oswald Chambers preached and wrote about it. Let’s listen to his description of the problem...
“The type of Christian experience in the New Testament is that of devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Every other type of Christian experience, so called, is detached from the Person of Jesus. There is no regeneration, no being born again into the Kingdom in which Christ lives, but only the idea that He is our pattern. To-day He is being dispatched as the Figurehead of a Religion, a mere Example. He is that, but He is infinitely more; He is salvation itself, He is the Gospel of God.” - Oswald Chambers
Jesus is not just an example of morality, purity and righteousness... he is the embodiment of it. Our lives are not merely plays in which we act out a feel-good faith or religion, it is the true essence of a real walk of faith which embodies suffering, joy, and an obedience to God. The ramifications of our failure in this journey of faith are massive and can be individually devastating, but setting all else aside to follow God’s Son Jesus Christ secures eternity for us and manifests itself in a very real encounter with not only mercy, but with grace… the perfect grace of God.
When I was a young boy I used to play on the playground with the other kids. In our group there was one boy in particular who would change the rules whenever the game turned sour for him. He had to feel like he was winning, no matter what it took. The unfortunate reality was that by cheating he had already lost... there was no victory for him. Cheating doesn’t make you a winner, it is just an illusion of winning, and in the end you are judged by that.
This is feel-good Christianity... you might think that you have changed the rules, but the rules are set by a much higher power... they are set by God the Father. So, when churches, denominations, pastors, or laypersons modify the Word of God, and feel like they are doing well under the new guidelines the have created ... they are not. Truth is always truth, no matter how fervently we argue against it. The sun is always hot, the moon is cool, love triumphs, and a true mathematical expression proves itself every time.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your unchanging truth, and the comfort I find in it. Thank you for your judgement and for revealing your immutable truth despite the false proclamations of those who wander from your righteous will. Holy Father, keep your hand on me, and guide me in your unwavering truth, and in my obedience to your Holy Word. Never let me rationalize your commandments and intentions as I try ease my way through life by making straight the winding roads before me. Help me Lord to keep my eyes fixed upon you at all times; and I pray that my hand will never lose its grip on yours. There is no decision that you make which I can overturn, or set aside... you are omnipotent, perfect, and unfailing. I praise you Abba for your love, your goodness and your grace. I keep my face turned towards you always and shout your glory and praise to all creation with my mouth, as I signal my love for you with uplifted arms. You are my God, and your Son Jesus is my Amen. You are Holy, Holy, Holy, and nothing can change that. You are the absolute truth in all things and whatever you say or do becomes the embodiment of it. Feel my love for you just as I feel yours for me. Know my belief in you and Jesus Christ are real and true as I proclaim them and guide me in my faith as I hold to those things of you that I cannot see or touch with my hands. As I listen and obey your will let all creatures great and small hear me as I give you all the honor and glory for whatever you accomplish through me. All of these things I pray in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, my redeemer, and your Holy Lamb. Let Him be my yea, and my Amen to all things as I follow Him down the righteous path before me and enter the narrow gate of your Kingdome… the New Jerusalem.
“For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 CSB
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Rich Forbes