WE HAVE NOT BEEN DECEIVED

FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2023

This topic is a heading I sourced from an interesting passage of the Scripture, which says, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables." We preach Christ as the Saviour of the world. Of a truth, He came to this world to die for you and for me, and more so, the certainty of His return for the saints is not an erroneous report or message. He is coming again in glory and He's coming for those who truly believe in Him and have made Him their Lord in a genuine manner.

Reference: 2 Peter 1:16 New King James Version (NKJV) "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Petrine epistle is full of divine inspiration, and in the sense of the above Scripture, Peter was reminding us of the second coming of Christ. At the same time, his aim was to enlighten our awareness concerning the reality of the gospel of Christ and to strengthen our conviction to accept it as true. He encouraged the saints by reminding them constantly - about the truths of their calling, although they were already well informed or equipped with divine knowledge. However Peter's reason for the reminders was for them to be more strengthened in faith and remain firmly established in the truth they already knew.

Aside from his encouragement, Peter went further to indicate and defend the authenticity of the gospel and prophecy of the Scriptures. There is nothing as delightful as a Christian being fully convinced about the genuineness and eternality of the gospel they've believed and knowing that the God of the Bible is very real. The gospel wasn't invented by ingenious or clever people. It is not a fable of blind men and the elephant god. It is not an imaginative story of saving the world from sin, which Peter and the apostles, masterfully fabricated in a clever and deceitful way to manipulate others.

Also, the Bible is not an important documentation that was cunningly written and put together by the so called prophets, to deceive and brainwash many. Those who wrote it were not individuals with diverse perspectives from different cultures and view points who subtly gathered together to tell, share and write their stories to change worldly views. They didn't come up with the conclusion, "Now, to save the world from evil, we're going to write 66 books about a God and His Beloved Son, bind them together and spread it around as Holy book to alter their mindset of unbelief and introduce them to superstitious belief and possibilities." Hear me, all Scripture is God's breathed (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). Although many unbelieving people tend to avoid the gospel or seem to remain unmoved by it, it is still the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes and nothing can change this timeless truth (see Romans 1:16 NIV).

Beloved, the gospel is not a movement that excites foolish people and invokes pleasant emotions, with unfounded effects. It is not a religious strategy that inspires optimism in others. In Christ, the Kingdom message we've received isn't to give God a big round of applause and a flavourful "Wow", and then experience a pleasant moment of His glory that lasts as long as we feel good about it. No; we've been called to behold God's glory in Christ - in its fullness - and also partake of it forever. This is why Peter noted that the gospel that has been made known unto us, conveys the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, because he and other disciples of Jesus were eyewitnesses of His revealed majesty, bearing in mind that Jesus walked with them while carrying out His ministry on earth.

In a nutshell, what was Peter trying to bring to our understanding? His intention was to convey to us, the communion of wonder, power and glory that comes with the gospel of Christ he preached and shared. If possible, Peter wished that we were all there to gain such first-hand experience of Christ walking with them on earth, while fulfilling His ministry. If it were possible for him to open our inner eyes in order to behold our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ just as he dwelt on earth, so as to have a natural perception of His majesty, he would do it for us. In other words, he was ready to prove that we have not been deceived.

Furthermore, the Bible says, "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him..." (Revelation 1:7 NLT). The gospel of grace based on the teachings of Christ communicate more reality than the very environment you find yourself in. Do well to pay attention to the Word of truth and embrace it as eternal truth, if you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 16:27-28; Mark 14:62; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I believe in the glorious gospel that brings salvation to mankind, and I acknowledge that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin. Negative forces, carnal minds and worldly views cannot undermine this truth. Therefore, my identity, faith and godly values are rooted in Christ alone. With a sense of purpose and enthusiasm, I maintain that Jesus is the Saviour of the world and my personal Lord, and I function in conformity to the affirmation. Thank you Lord for the enormous power of the gospel and its transforming impact in my world, as I continually share it, in Jesus' Name, Amen!