Truth or counterfeit?

Years ago I was part of a nationally known ministry. Each summer we held an indoor campmeeting, three services a day, that drew thousands of people from around the world. One year I was assigned to help supervise this ministry's book table. Due to an influx of counterfeit bills being introduced into this country from abroad an agent, trained in identifying counterfeit bills, came to our table to educate us in how to spot the counterfeit from the real.

What the agent proceeded to tell us was simple, yet so effective. In training bank employees to spot counterfeit bills, participants saw only authentic ones throughout the course; they never saw the counterfeit. When asked why, the answer was simple. The instructor wanted those taking the course to become familiar with the true , making it pretty easy to spot the counterfeit.

The same is true in our walk with God. We have the Bible, God's Word, to guide us in life. We have God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to lead us in line with the Word, which is the Truth, according to John 17:17. The Holy Spirit will never lead us apart from His written Word. It is, therefore, very important that new believers are taught the truth from birth, spiritually speaking. From the time someone becomes a Christian it is other Christians' responsibility-not just pastors-to teach the truth to that new believer.

In teaching basic truths to Christians, I've found that the sooner I can reach new Christians with the truth of God's Word, the easier it is for them to be rooted, built up, and established in Christ. That's why it's so important to teach God's Word to children, who'll then have the privilege of growing up with the Truth, rather than counterfeits. God, our Heavenly "Instructor", wants children of all ages to be able to distinguish truth from counterfeit, in every area of life.

How, then, do I distinguish truth from counterfeit, right from wrong? In math, 2+2=4, not 3.9,  4.1, or some other close number. Pretty simple, right? In teaching the truth of God's Word, Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). This being true, anything contrary to what Jesus said is not truth; it's counterfeit.

Can you see the importance of filling our hearts, mouths, and minds with the truth of God's Word? What would happen if our focus would be on the simplicity of what God is saying in His Word, rather than opinions, theories, and experiences out of line with New Testament teaching? How can today's post help you to stay focused on the Truth, rather than counterfeits?

What are your thoughts on this subject?

Something Better Than "God Is With You"

"God is with you" is a fairly common statement I've been hearing nowadays. In fact, I've heard it for years. Psalm 91:15 says that God will be with those in trouble, who have set their love on Him. Isn't it good to know that God is with us? Yes, He's right here, with me. All this is comforting, yet hardly enough to bring me victory in the midst of trials, test, and other storms which Christians face in this life. No, what I need to know is this: how can God put me over in every circumstance of life?  Just the fact that God is with me is no guarantee of victory over the forces of evil,  in this world we are living in for now. I need God to be closer than (just) with me.

Having my stomach with me provides no guarantee of food providing strength and nourishment to my physical body. No, what my body needs is for my stomach-and every other digestive organ-to be inside me, processing food on my behalf. The same is true with God, our Heavenly Father. He is in each and every believer, working on our behalf.

Always prove what someone tells you about God by the Word of God. The Bible, God's written Word, tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:16 that God would dwell in the hearts (spirits) of believers. He goes on to tell us in verse 18 that He will be a Father to us (believers). Then, in Colossians 1:27, God says that Christ-God's Son-is in us. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is living in our spirits (hearts), according to Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 3:16, and I Corinthians 6:19 (note: there's only one Church; what's written to one part of the Church is written to all the Church). This means that all three Persons of the Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-are living in you. And if they can't put you over in life, then no one can (but They can-let them). Now, isn't that a whole lot better than (just) having God with you?

Yes, if you're a believer, God is certainly with you (as well as for you-Romans 8:31). Rejoice in these truths. Rejoice also that God is in you, willing and able to put you over in life-no matter what storms may come your way.

How has seeing that God is in you made a difference in your life?

How the Truth will make you free

John 8:31,32 "...If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." What is the Truth? The Truth is God's Word, the Holy Bible. Not a truth-The Truth; however just having the truth (the Word) won't automatically make you free. If that were true every person with a Bible-even an atheist-would be free. It's the Truth you know for yourself-not the Truth itself-that makes you free.

One has to know the Truth (the Word) concerning salvation for himself/herself before being saved.The same is true concerning the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, healing, prosperity, or any other provision of God. Knowing what God has done for someone else, such as for salvation, may inspire your faith ; however what God has done in another person's life won't do you a bit of good until you hear and act upon that truth for yourself.

Hearing means hearing the Word of God for yourself. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The faith that comes by hearing God's Word then becomes real in your life by acting upon the Word (Truth) that you've been hearing. The Truth you hear, receive, and act upon will make you free in the area (s) you have been bound in.  As a teenager I began to hear the Truth concerning salvation. On the night of August 17, 1969, I acted upon that Truth and received salvation in my life, becoming what the Bible calls a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The Truth making you free is a process, requiring time and patience. Most problems don't occur overnight. Likewise, you need to allow the Truth whatever time is needed to cleanse, heal, deliver, and make you free. Quick fixes are short-term. The Word is eternal. Fill your heart and mouth with the Truth. Take steps. Act on the Word. The Truth will make you free.

Anything worth doing well is worth taking time. Your greatest challenge is choosing to do things God's way-according to His Word. Allow God 's Word to change your thinking. Learn to think, talk, and act in line with God's Word.

You'll be made free. In thought, word, and action.