Politically Incorrect

TITLE: Politically Incorrect,
DATE:  January 19, 2019
TEXT:  Acts 4: 11-12 – ESV – This  Jesus[a] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.”

Of all the statements in the Bible which today are considered to be politically incorrect, the disciples’ words must be ranked close to the top.

This is what they said: “Salvation is only found in Jesus; there is no Name other than His which saves. “

To our age which takes inordinate pride in its open-mindedness, these exclusive statements are unbearable, unacceptable and insupportable. The confession of faith made by Peter and John is more offensive to today’s unbelieving ear than they were when they first were spoken.

Jesus alone can save. Modern man may concede there is the possibility of a ‘supreme being’ out there, somewhere, but for any religion to say it has a complete lock on understanding and interpreting that Being seems obnoxious and abhorrent.” “Nobody”, they maintain, “can claim to have a monopoly on god. No religion can say it is in exclusive possession of truth.”
Open-minded, modern man feels he has been given a moral responsibility, a personal directive, a driven imperative to rescue Christians from their deluded, intolerant way of thinking.
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With an enthusiasm and a level of commitment which might be commendable in any other endeavor, these folks are dedicated to bringing darkness where Jesus has brought light; confusion where Jesus has bestowed certainty and a great, grey unknown to the Lord’s bright knowledge of salvation.

• These folks who believe they are open-minded in all things, become incredibly narrow-minded with the Savior and the faith the Holy Spirit bestows upon God’s people.
• A double standard allows them to detest Christian evangelism but causes no hesitation or reservation for their evangelizing Christians.

2,000 years ago the religious leaders at the time of Jesus’ resurrection desired to push the living Lord Jesus back into His tomb. They were not the last and they are not alone in wishing to shut down the Savior and reseal His grave. Today the world is trying to create a world without Jesus.

Tell me what this world will look like if they succeed? Will  children act with greater civility, morality and integrity? Without Christ will husbands love their wives more deeply and will wives find greater security? Tell me… what will this world look like after Christ has been removed?
If the world doesn't have a real answer to those questions, and they don’t, let me ask one more… Suppose Peter and John were right; suppose the risen and living Lord Jesus IS the only Person Who can save; His blood the only way to forgiveness, His empty tomb the only sure hope of joyful eternity? If Peter and John  were right, what then?”

If they are right, and they are, then we need to hold fast to the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. End of Reading

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may be faithful to the Savior Who remained faithful to the work of saving me. Grant me the ability to point people unerringly to the Redeemer and the forgiveness which He brings. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html