"I want you to know brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man has made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."    -Galatians 1: 11-12

The Real Deal

I suppose that one reason some people may not like 'Christianity' is because it doesn't offer multiple options. We are accustomed to having choices in our society. From many ice-cream flavors to a wide variety of entertainment options, clothing lines to 'custom fit' diets...etc Our world is full of choices. Christians are often considered 'narrow minded' because of their belief in one way to salvation. Jesus answered "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14: 6) Jesus, Himself, says that He is the only way. Narrow minded? I guess that there are many who would rather believe that people have a wide assortment of faith options. After all, we love to have choices and I should be able to choose the route to salvation that best suits me. But let's look at it from God's viewpoint. He provided a solution to our sin problem and at great personal cost, the sacrifice of His own Son. What more do we want Him to do? God's word says in Acts 4: 12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Jesus is in fact 'the real deal!' I find it interesting that the very people that condemned Jesus to death upon the cross were the ones who ended up providing the proof that Jesus was the real deal. "Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people." (Acts 13: 26-31)

Do you believe that Jesus is the real deal? If so, then I have a challenge for you. Live your life to the fullest and be all that you can be for Him! "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6: 12) As a Christian you should strive to be the best that you can be. I was inspired by these words from Orel Hershiser, a former major league picture, that I came across...'Being a Christian is no excuse for mediocrity or passive acceptance of defeat. If anything, Christianity demands a higher standard, more devotion to the task.' Jesus is 'The Real Deal!' We can never repay Him or thank Him enough for all that He has done for us. But we can live our lives for Him. Lives that will be a testimony for all of those around us who are in desperate need of the 'saving power' of Jesus Christ. Are you up to the challenge?

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
-1 Timothy 6: 12

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