“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from GOD, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize THE SPIRIT OF GOD: Every spirit that acknowledges that JESUS CHRIST has come in the flesh is from GOD, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge JESUS is not from GOD.”     ~ I John 4:1-3a NIV

There are very few things that raise the ire and irksomeness of people today more than intolerance. Tolerance is the key word for many groups. We are told that we must be tolerant of everyone regardless of what they say, think, or do. There is a hypocritical approach to this as we read or listen to the daily news. We are all repulsed by the things we hear about Jeffrey Epstein. Nevertheless, if we take tolerance to its extreme, then anything goes! That is NOT ok!

There are clearly things which there is NO room for error. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST is clearly a nonnegotiable according to THE WORD OF GOD. In order to be a Christian, we must acknowledge “that JESUS CHRIST has come.” We must also acknowledge that HE has come “in the flesh.” Finally, we must agree that not only is HE “from GOD;” HE is GOD! JESUS says, “I and MY FATHER are ONE!” (John 10:30) There is no room for JESUS and something else, nor is there any room for JESUS or something else. It is just JESUS! JESUS alone is the road to heaven.

This is not a religion! This idea of Mere Christianity, as CS Lewis puts it, is a relationship. You must be in an intimate, personal, consistent communion with our SAVIOR and LORD. In order for marriage to be healthy, there must be intimacy and exclusivity. There must be things which you will share with your spouse that no one else on Earth is allowed to know. Did you know that THE BIBLE calls your relationship with CHRIST a marriage? There will be a “marriage supper of the LAMB!” (Revelation 19:9)

So, have you taken “the test?” Are you connected to CHRIST? Do you have an active living relationship with JESUS? Listen to this: “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with ME and I with you, the relationship is intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.” (John 15:5 MSG)

JESUS is inviting you to HIS wedding supper, and it starts by simply asking HIM to be in your life. It is an exclusive limited time invitation. You can do it right now. Please don’t wait until it’s too late! As one of my favorite singers, Keith Green, put it so well, “I only want to see you there!”

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” JESUS ~ Matthew 5:11-12

I attended a meeting where I observed a brother in CHRIST accused of things which I know not be true. He was accused, attacked, and called guilty of heinous things. I watched his heart rate rise ~ expectantly so ~ as his accuser spewed one hateful statement after another in the spirit of doing what was right for that situation.  I sat helplessly as I longed to shield him from this satanic attack. I was wrecked with emotions as I wanted to flee, scream, defend, or return the attack. Nevertheless, it was not I who was not on trial, but I sure felt the hurt, betrayal, and venom.

All the while, this gracious brother, who clearly did none of these horrific things spoken of him, sat quietly.  I watched the sweat build, his heart race, and his face redden ~ all in silence. The few times he spoke it was merely for clarification. I am so proud of my friend honoring the LORD in those painful moments. These are the encounters which prove our faith!

During the melee, I relived every painful meeting I’ve had over the years while I was accused of so many things I would never and could never have done. I remember the embarrassment, the deep emotional pain, and the scarring of my soul that followed. All the while, those who had done their worst moved on in glee.

In the quiet darkness, I would ponder all the things that were said of me. Then, these things would take root! They caused bitterness and resentment to grow in my spirit. I became frustrated, angry, and coarse with others. I had allowed these evils to make me into what my accuser had said. At one point, I even said, “Goodbye” to my loving SAVIOR.

WOW! All this, because I allowed some bitter, cruel, mean, cantankerous fool to set the direction of my heart. PRAISE GOD! HE walked through that with me. In fact, HE carried me through all that. JESUS had nothing to do with that garbage; however, HE bent down and walked through it with ME. HE reminded me that HE knows who I am. HE reminded me that HE loves me through it all!

If you are going through the fire, then remember to stand firm in CHRIST as you walk with HIM! Rejoice! Great is your reward in heaven!

JESUS sees!

JESUS knows!

JESUS cares!