Recognize Falsehood

"They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."

I was so touched by our pastor's message yesterday at church. It was so interesting. He preached a sermon (and I am paraphrasing here) on what the Devil might preach to draw people in. Basically, he would preach falsehood of what it will be like after accepting Christianity. He would promise a life that is "perfect"--no hurt, heartache, hardships, illness, death-- and when life disappoints, people would fall away from God in groves. Does that ring true for you? I think it does for a lot of Christians. The good life is not always "good" my friends. What you get out of your trials and who you seek in the troubled times are how we define ourselves. WHO DO WE SEEK in those times? Is it Christ? Is it really Christ? Or is it doctors, family members, spouses, medication? Life is going to disappoint us. Our purpose in life is not to possess a perfect life! I think a lot of things these days are gearing Christianity towards a better life! Have a better life--become a Christian! What a let-down. We still get sick, sin, get cheated, lose money, have way-ward children. What happened to the perfection we signed up for? The perfection is in Christ through us and in us! To know our job is a life of service towards Him regardless of the circumstances! Right?
All this to say, be aware of this in our attempts to bring revival to our town and the lives in it. Don't make promises of a better life to non-Christians. Make promises of HOPE in a life that will have turmoil. It is so tempting to offer a better life to those who don't know the Lord. While I don't think it is wrong to say it will be "better", you must watch the emphasis that is placed on that word. There are no guarantees. We don't want them to come to know Christ and then fall away when things are not glamorous in their new life. Let's make sure we are praying that we would all speak Truth in Christ. Offer a life of change, not in a betterment sort of way, but a source of HOPE when the troubled waters come. Hope this made sense to you...Pastor Barry said it better than me! Be blessed today. And much love to all of you!!