Life Matters - December 28, 2022
January 1, 2023 is only a few days away which means this spinning orb has done its annual orbit around the sun 2022 times since the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ to the little town of Bethlehem. Conceived in the womb, born a baby, nursed by his mother, raised by his parents, he was fully man. When a grown man, he often referred to himself as the “son of man.” This baby, youth, and then grown man was, and is, also fully God. For Mary had conceived when the Holy Ghost came upon her, the power of the highest overshadowed her, therefore, she was told by the angel, this baby “shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
Fully man and fully God, this God-man has brought about world-wide revival. Begun at a grass-roots level in a 60x100 mile (approx..) area in the Middle East, His teaching and Spirit is persistent in reaching out, spreading out, through His believers, his followers. The tenacity of this Gospel has been nothing short of phenomenal as every devious method known to men and demons have been employed against it. The attacks vary in intensity as well as in the tools used, but the principle methods remain the same and continue to be “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” often accompanied by “cancellation” and/or threats to life and limb.
This age of digital technology has nothing new. It is just the same old, same old, only made more accessible in abundance and speed. The same old lusts. The same old trying to fulfill those lusts. The same old hate. The same old trying to hurt people. The same old lying. The same old trying to perpetuate those lies. Only now those lusts, including the lies and the hurts, can literally travel at the speed of light. So can the message of the Gospel. So can expressions of love that overcome hatred. So can Truth that overcomes and dispels lies. Unless it is “canceled” by the “woke-checkers.”
Our computers have a good filtering system for which I am thankful. I am also thankful, very thankful, for the amount of Truth coming through these days via, I think they are called “podcasts.” Matt Walsh, Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens, Phil Robertson, Judicial Watch and many others. I’m not saying we could agree on every jot and tittle, we conservatives are notorious for our disagreements on jots and tittles, but in the big picture, they deserve and need our prayers as they confront lies daily and make an honest attempt to answer that age-old question emanating from this questing human race: “What is truth?”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked in seeming frustration at the inconsistent testimony delivered in vehement emotional context against Jesus at the judgment hall. What is Truth?...we may well ask as the vehemence coming through social media disseminates itself into an incredible and growing expanse of this world’s population. While those who speak truth may well do so with vehement heart-felt emotion, feelings can never be the litmus test of Truth because lies are often emotion-packed as well. The litmus test of Truth is still Truth. Which Truth Jesus personifies as He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
I’m not one to make a lot of “New Years Resolutions” but as we approach this new year, I do resolve to follow Jesus. To walk His way in the spirit, to live by the power of His Life. And in that power, to abide in His Truth. All Truth is His Truth. The devil is a liar and the father of it. (Jn. 8:44) “And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free” is an offer and a promise to all of us. So as we navigate the year 2023 and the question of “What is Truth?” comes up from time to time, let us remember that in Jesus is ultimate Truth. And freedom. In the spirit. Truth is Immortal.
Life Matters!