Fake News

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John14:6

“Fake news” is sometimes also referred to as “alternative truth” although any similarity between them is non existent. President Trump brought the phrases to the fore as he tries to generate his own version of news and truth. It boils down to this: If President Trump says something, you can trust it as the pure truth. This alarms me because of the verse above.

No one likes bad things to be said about them, even if they are true, and the most powerful man in the free world is no exception. So when the media runs any article that he doesn’t like or agree with, he calls it fake or untrue. It then boils down to this: Who do you believe? If you say something long enough and loud enough, it will be trusted as truth. Donald J Trump knows this, and let’s be honest, this is a man who doesn’t like to be wrong. He made his empire by hard business negotiations with similarly hard businessmen. Can the same rules be used when governing a nation?

Here’s what my problem boils down to. If someone claims to be a ‘born again’ Christian, but links truth to things like the media, instead of a person like Jesus, there is something far wrong. Truth is found in the person of the Son of God, and this most basic of all truths has been missed. So my ability to trust that same someone with anything else is reduced to say the least, and it doesn’t matter who that someone is. Jesus knows all about fake news because He suffered from His own fake news and trial before His unjust crucifixion. So, I think He is well placed to judge what truth and justice are, and it will never come under the fake category. Another thought. If you profess to be a Christian, and use or peddle fake and misleading news to your own ends and benefit, God’s perfect justice will take care of it ultimately and eternally. That’s a lot longer than any 4 or 8 year term of office, and worth a long hard look in the mirror.

Joy

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John15:11NIV

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah8:10NIV

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. John10:10NIV

The type of joy that comes from the peace that only God can give is ours as faithful servants. The Bible is full of references to the uplifting joy of the Lord, and we do well to remember this. The theme runs through the old and new testaments, so it is an important word for us to hear and obey.

There are those outside the family of God who want to rob you of this happiness, and we must not allow them to get a foothold. It would be a thief who would want to rob us of our positive outlook on life, and sadly there are thieves in the church too. Instead of emphasising and concentrating on the joy that salvation brings, they would want to point to the ‘prophets of doom’ which they see as more important than the joy itself.

You know the type. So and so is a false prophet, and a teacher from the devil, parading as a christian. Beware of him or her, they will lead you astray. They are dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. Disguised as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they appear in such a way that you wouldn’t know you are being taken in. But it’s ok they say, I am here to keep you right, because I know who the good guys are and the bad ones too. Listen to me and I will keep you right because I have seen the evidence on the internet, based on the truth of the Scripture of course. If anything will rob your joy, it is this kind of thief.

When the authorities are training to spot a counterfeit, they check the genuine article over and over again until they know it completely. They do not round up every false copy and scrutinise them one by one. There are too many, so they concentrate their attention on the original, only and always. What a lesson. Maybe we should take less time to look for the fakes, and only and always scrutinise Jesus Christ the original. That way, our joy will never be in danger of being diminished or even stolen!

Easy Way Out?

Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’? Luke 5:23

Jesus had already decided what the greater need was, and had said this because of the great faith shown, and so the sick man’s sins were forgiven, but the Pharisees didn’t like that response. This wasn’t the first time Jesus was set up in a trap of words. If you can, put yourself in the Pharisees shoes. If you say something that is hard to prove, you have won the argument and come out on top. But if you back your claims up with something real and tangible, you will silence your critics, and that’s exactly what Jesus did. He stepped up to meet the needs of the sick man, both body AND soul.

Have you found yourself saying something that sounds nice, but there is no substance to it? How about “I hope you feel better soon”, or “I’ll pray for you”, or “Don’t worry, it will all work out, you’ll see”? In all truth and fairness, we are all guilty. Jesus, the great example, shows us the way. Don’t speak platitudes that don’t help. Do something to help the person. It may not be a big thing, but small gestures can go a long way to encourage someone who is hurting.

Why would we say something we don’t mean to carry through especially when it would mean so much to the other person? I think it would be to make ourselves look and feel better, and all the more so when we won’t be found out. Who knows if we don’t visit, or do a kindness, or even pray? Maybe not the person who needs that comforting word or action, but in all things, God knows. Is that not a good enough reason to follow your words through with action? James, the brother of Jesus says it clearly, and we would do well to heed his words.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15-17