Propaganda got you down?

 

“I just don’t know what to believe about that,” is a phrase that I utter often 2020. I feel that I am a victim of misinformation. Propaganda, produces by those who desire to control populations, incite wars, or provoke political upheaval is everywhere. There is no doubt in my mind that I am not alone in my suspicions about the bias that colors the information fed to us by our government and our news media. This election season has magnified the problem as both sides try to convince us of the apocalyptic nature of life in the United States if the other side wins.

Christian, we are not adrift in a world of relativity when it comes our hope.  On this Monday morning, we remember that the Gospel, God’s Message of hope and life in Christ Jesus, is not human propaganda or misinformation. It is the revealed Truth of Heaven. 

Paul writes of his joy in the believers who accept that Word by faith.  "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NIV)  Peter joins Paul in affirming the truth of the Gospel. "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (2 Peter 1:16, NIV)

Jesus told a teaching story about 4 kinds of soils that represent the responses of the human mind to the truth of the Gospel. "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” (Mark 4:3-8, NIV)   

Some hear and are just hard, the seed unable to germinate. Others hear eagerly, perhaps in a desperate time, but fail to grow roots to sustain their faith. Some let life get too full of other things and the Word Seed’s growth is stunted. Some are fertile rich soil where God’s Gospel produces a rich quality of life.

Are you receiving the Gospel – the truth that Christ has reconciled you to your Creator and secured your eternal life - with joy, so that your life is full of God’s goodness? 

The Holy Spirit conceives the truth in us, a ‘once and done’ moment, in which new life, the gift of God, brings conversion. Jesus told an inquirer it was like being ‘born again.’ (John 3)  And, as we just read, it is also true that the Gospel is received each day, God’s life and love growing in us, making us people who are full of the Spirit’s fruit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5: 22)

When you find yourself confused by the cascade of words thrown at you, Christ Jesus remains True.
When you cannot make sense of life because of pain, disappointment, or circumstances beyond your control, Christ Jesus is still Lord. Whether you are 4, 14, 44, or 84, Christ Jesus is the Source of Eternal Life.

Trust Him. Anchor your life in Him, not in your own goodness, your morality, your achievements – but in Him.  Let the Seed grow!

As you begin a new week, take some time to prayerfully meditate on these words of life. Here is a word from the Word. "Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NLT)
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Anchor
(listen and know peace)

 I have this hope
As an anchor for my soul
Through ev'ry storm
I will hold to You

With endless love
All my fear is swept away
In ev'rything
I will trust in You

There is hope in the promise of the cross
You gave ev'rything to save the world You love
And this hope is an anchor for my soul
Our God will stand unshakable

Unchanging One
Who was and is to come
Your promise sure
You will not let go

Your Name is higher
Your Name is greater
All my hope is in You
Your word unfailing
Your promise unshaken
All my hope is in You

 Ben Fielding | Dean Ussher

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