I was watching a TV program called “The View“ this week. They were discussing how different politicians handled the News Commentators’ questions about President Obama.  One of the questions asked was: “Do you believe that  Obama was born in Hawaii?” Every politicians on the show answered: “ He says he was born in Hawaii so I believe he was born in Hawaii.” The second questions that was asked: “Do you believe he is a Christian?” Again the politicians answered: “He says he is a Christian so I believe he is a Christian.”  The ladies on the show were upset at the answers given by the politicians because they would not commit themselves by telling the truth.

The world we live in today tends to tap dance around “truth”.  People should not have to ask if we are a Christian; they should be able to see Christ in us. When asked if someone is a Christian we should be able to tell if Christ is truly their Lord and Savior.

How are we able to accomplish this? Let us look at Philippians 2: 1-13:

“If you have any encouragement from be united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like -minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. “

(We need to stop for a moment and measure ourselves by the words  that are in bold type.)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in the appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.

If this is our focus, then people will never have to ask  is we are a Christian.

Larry

Well . . . the November 2010 midterm elections are over, and I must say I am relieved.  The reason I am relieved has nothing to do with the results of the elections, but instead, my relief comes from a byproduct of the end of the elections, which is the end of campaign ads.

There was a lot of “mudslinging” during the campaigning, and it existed from the local levels all the way up to the national level.  I watched a number of these “mudslinging” type campaign ads and found them quite disheartening.  Many of the ads took a given politician’s opponents statements and views and not only used them out of context, but often manipulated them to show a negative image of their opponents, with the hope of making themselves look more desirable in comparison.  The result of such methods is the generation of “half-truths”, or lies.

“Half-truths”, as described in the “mudslinging” above, are as deceitful as complete lies and often are an even more dangerous stumbling block because they do actually have some bit of truth in them.  But, the truth that is shown is misrepresented.  As the mudslinging progressed during the campaign, I found myself wanting to hear nothing other than the truth as the election neared.  I do not know for certain if I ever did hear the truth during the campaigning, but what I do know is that if you are looking for real truth, you need to look in God’s Word.  The Bible contains the truth that everyone needs to know.

Jesus is quoted in the four books of the Gospel as stating “I tell you the truth . . .” at least 70+ times (look them up for yourself and count them).  Jesus’ words are trustworthy and true, and are themselves truth.  In fact, Jesus himself is truth!  In John 14:6 Jesus answered Thomas’ question with “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Later in John 14:16-17, as Jesus is still speaking, he promises the Holy Spirit by stating “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.”  In essence and in action the Spirit is characterized by truth.  He brings people to the truth of God.

In closing, I encourage you to study, and be knowledgeable in God’s Word, so that you will know the truth.

Here I am trying to get this article done for the web sight at the very last minute. Why have I  put this off? I spent a lot  time on the computer playing solitaire.  Why did I not spend that time writing this article?

I would like to blame Barb for making me go to  Wal-Mart with her or blaming the grandchildren for disturbing me to the point that I could not concentrate on what I wanted to write. I could spend a hour writing down excuses and submit it to Theresa and feel that I have done my job. Enough of making excuses.

Let us look at a word that determines who we are, integrity. I could write down the definition found in the dictionary and that would be the end of the article. I would rather show who truly defines the word.

Matthew 22:15-22: Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher”, they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay not attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought he a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesars,” they replied. 

Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left them and went away.

Now let us look at Titus 2:7-8: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

I am a old man who struggles with all that is going on around me. I want to bury my head  in the sand and ignore it. I find that is cannot do this. I am going to look into my own life and see where my integrity is questionable. I am to close to going home and I want my Lord to see integrity in my heart.

I would encourage all who happen to read this article consider the words found in Proverbs 16:1-3: “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Larry