Where Do You Get Your Truth From?

Daily Reading: Colossians 2

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2.8)

Devotional Thought: The truth we have known for generations in America has fallen out of favor.  We have been taken "captive by philosophy and empty deceit" found in popular culture. 

There are many alternatives to faith in Christ that seem easier, that do not require heart change.  People today dine from a smorgasbord of truth, filling their trays with whatever fits their appetite, seasoning their plate with a liberal amount of self-centeredness. It's really a Have-It-Your-Way religion that may see Jesus as a great teacher, but certainly not as the Son of God who came to die for our sins.

How do we address this type of thinking? 

·       First, we need to ask some tough questions about Jesus.  Who did Jesus say he is?  He claimed to be the Son of God (John 11.4).  What did Jesus say about other spiritual paths?  "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14.6).  Jesus was either who he said he was, or he was a lunatic - or even worse, a complete fraud. 

·       Then, we need to consider our own examples.  Many professed "doubters" have had bad church experiences or seen Christians whose lives were full of truth but that truth was used like a hammer, exhibiting no grace or love.  As followers of Jesus, we are to be "full of truth and grace" (John 1.14).

·       Finally, we must run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12.1-2) – and ONLY on Jesus!

Jenny Wade

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing to me the truth that has set me free - free from sin, free from fear, free from death.  Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Help me to hide it in my heart.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:   Psalm 17.1-5

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!

3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.