Issue 1511 – Old Stick – July 30, 2024
When I pastored at “the cowboy church,” we sometimes traveled, and I spoke at rodeos or other churches. I sometimes brought my horse, “Old Stick,” as a visual aid.
My pal Old Stick is a saw horse with a saddle on him. When I sit on his back, my feet comfortably rest on the ground. Old Stick is handy to have around.
He packs neatly in my vehicle, so I don’t need a truck and trailer. There are no vet, feed, or farrier bills, and there is nothing to shovel up afterward. I can also leave him on his own for long periods of time, without worrying about his care or boarding him out, which makes him ideal.
I would explain these things to the assembled crowd and discuss my sincere belief that Old Stick is a real horse. I also explained that it is my right to believe whatever I want to believe about Old Stick even if he isn’t a real horse in their eyes. They often looked at me as if I had lost my mind until I began to explain.
Each of us is indeed free to believe whatever we sincerely believe. However, no amount of sincerity will ever make Old Stick a real horse, and my right to believe it does not make it true.
The world teaches that all roads lead to God. That isn’t true. Some roads lead only to the town dump or worse.
Jesus made some very exclusive truth claims.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easythat leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born againhe cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
Each person is given the opportunity to accept or reject these truth claims. No one can force another to open their hearts to
Jesus and Christians are called to love even those who reject Him.
Having said that and understanding that we must respect the rights of others to hold differing beliefs (whether or not those beliefs are true), we must share the truth of the gospel of Jesus the Christ with everyone we can.
We must also understand that acceptance of their point of view does not equate with agreement.
It is their option to accept or reject the truth (and their responsibility to accept the consequences of that decision), but as believers, we are called to help give them the option by telling them about Jesus,
As a follower of the Christ, you are responsible for sharing the truth. It is up to the hearer to decide what to do. They are
responsible from that point.
Until the next time, may you share the truth with boldness and love.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)