When I was growing up, television was brand new, making its mark on the Baby Boomer generation. Not surprisingly, game shows were common then as now. And one especially popular show was “To Tell the Truth.” Three panelists would ask questions to guess which of three contestants was telling the truth about his identity [an actor, scientist, doctor, athlete, etc]. After each panelist made his guess, the host would say “Will the real [John Doe] please stand up!”
We are seeing so many different versions of Jesus today, I want to shout “Will the real Jesus please stand up?” To social conservatives, He is a champion of the poor; to amoralists, all-loving and nonjudgmental; to prosperity teachers, a dream-maker; to new-agers, the personification of all that is good in us.
Do you know that Paul warns us about those preaching another Jesus (2 Co. 11:4)? Jesus Himself said many would come saying “I am the Christ,” misleading even the elect. (Mat 24:5, 24) Like me, you are probably convinced you could never be deceived. But we should avoid presumption, and heed Jesus’ words, even if for the sake of helping others more susceptible. How can anyone be sure they KNOW the real Jesus?
To be ‘known,’ Jesus must be ‘learned’ (Eph. 4:20). Isn’t that true in any relationship? We learn to know our spouses, over a lifetime of living with and loving them! And any friendship grows stale if there is not a continual learning about and from each other. If it is the same with Jesus, how do we ‘learn’ Him?
We learn Jesus by “hearing” the Word (Mat. 11:15; Rev. 2:7). Not enough to “hear” the Word, we must “do” the Word (James 1:22). And “doing” the Word requires "practice" (Phil. 4:9; 2 Pe. 1:10). And finally, we cannot continue to learn Jesus unless we “hold fast” to the things we have already learned (Rev. 3:11).
Let me assure you. If you make it your ambition to 'learn' Jesus (hearing, doing, practicing and holding fast to HIM who is the Word) you will NOT be like one of those panelists falling for the wrong person.
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