WE HAVE NOT BEEN FOOLED

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2021

This topic is a heading I formed out of 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. Therefore, the certainty of Christ's return for the saints is not an erroneous message. He is coming again in glory and He's coming for those who believe in Him and have made Him their Lord.

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."

Here, Petrine's epistle was full of inspiration, in the sense that it was reminding us of the Second Coming of Christ. At the same time, he was increasing our awareness to be open to gospel of Christ and willingness to accept it as true. Having encouraged the saints to add to their faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, mutual affection, and love, he assured them that if they possessed these qualities in increasing measure, they would never be ineffective and unproductive in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Apart from encouraging them to develop their faith and remain firmly established in the truth, Peter went further to indicate and demonstrate the authenticity of the gospel and prophecy of the Scriptures. There is nothing greater for a Christian to be fully convinced of the genuineness and eternal worth of the gospel they've believed and to know that the God of the Bible is very real. The gospel wasn't invented by ingenious or clever people. Its not a fable of blind men and the elephant god. It wasn't an imaginative story of saving the world from sin, which Peter and the apostles, masterfully fabricated in a clever and deceitful way to control others.

Also, the Bible is not an important documentation that was cunningly written and put together by the so called prophets, to deceive many. Those who wrote it were not individuals with diverse perspectives from different cultures and view points who came together to tell, share and write their stories. 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 smash 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 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 great effect. Its not a religious strategy that inspires optimism in others. In Christ, the Kingdom message we've received isn't to give God a passing glance and a big "Wow", and then experience a nice feeling that lasts only for a short period of time. No; we've been called and invited to behold God's glory in Christ - in its fullness - and partake in it forever. This is why Peter noted that the gospel made known unto us conveys the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and they were eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty, because Jesus walked with them while carrying out His ministry on earth.

What was Peter trying to bring to our understanding? He was communicating the feeling 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 when Christ was ministering live on earth. To him, it's like opening our inner eyes to see a brilliant sunrise, where Christ appears in the sky, inviting us to behold His majesty in the heavens in reality. In other words, we have not been fooled. 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 and teachings of Christ communicate more reality than the very outfit you're wearing. Do well to pay attention to the Word of truth and accept 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. I maintain my confession with resolution and zeal, that Jesus is the Saviour of the world and my Lord, and I act in conformity to it. Thank you Lord for the efficacy of the gospel and its impact which increases in my world by the power of your Spirit, in Jesus' Name, Amen!