Daily Devotions with Greg Laurie – Thursday, 26 December 2013 – “The Unpopular Truth”

Daily Devotions with Greg Laurie – Thursday, 26 December 2013 – “The Unpopular Truth”

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.(1 Timothy 2:5)

One of the most often-asked questions regarding the Christian faith goes something like this: "What about the person who has never heard that Jesus is the only way to God? What about the person in the middle of the jungle who has never heard the gospel?" (They are always in a jungle for some unknown reason—or in the desert.)

The teaching that Jesus Christ is the only way to God has never been popular. But maybe it has never been more controversial than it is today. If you want to get someone's blood boiling, then say that Jesus is the only way to God. The "coexist" bumper sticker on their car will catch fire.

The idea that you would have the audacity to say that Jesus is the only way is, in effect, saying that other religions are not true. That is the way it works itself out, and people don't like it. It is acceptable if you say that Jesus is a way to God. But when you dare to say that He is the only way, then you can be certain that will have some pushback.

But here is what it comes down to. We have to say what the Bible says, whether it is popular or not. It is not for me to edit the message of the Bible; it is for me, as a Christian, to simply deliver it.

It would be like a doctor's discovering a very serious problem with a patient's health, but then being unwilling to say what that problem is, because it might make that patient uncomfortable.

We have to tell people the truth about their real condition, which happens to be sinful, and then seek to save them, which is to point them to Jesus Christ as the only solution.

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Today's Bible Reading:

Psalm 117: Universal Call to Worship

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations!

    Extol him, all you peoples!

2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,

    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 119: 81 My soul languishes for your salvation;

    I hope in your word.

82 My eyes fail with watching for your promise;

    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84 How long must your servant endure?

    When will you judge those who persecute me?

85 The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me;

    they flout your law.

86 All your commandments are enduring;

    I am persecuted without cause; help me!

87 They have almost made an end of me on earth;

    but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your steadfast love spare my life,

    so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

89 The Lord exists forever;

    your word is firmly fixed in heaven.

90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91 By your appointment they stand today,

    for all things are your servants.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

    I would have perished in my misery.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

    for by them you have given me life.

94 I am yours; save me,

    for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

    but I consider your decrees.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

97 Oh, how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all day long.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

    for it is always with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

    for your decrees are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

    for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

    in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn away from your ordinances,

    for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

    therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

    to observe your righteous ordinances.

107 I am severely afflicted;

    give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,

    and teach me your ordinances.

109 I hold my life in my hand continually,

    but I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

    but I do not stray from your precepts.

111 Your decrees are my heritage forever;

    they are the joy of my heart.

112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes

    forever, to the end.

113 I hate the double-minded,

    but I love your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;

    I hope in your word.

115 Go away from me, you evildoers,

    that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

    and let me not be put to shame in my hope.

117 Hold me up, that I may be safe

    and have regard for your statutes continually.

118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes;

    for their cunning is in vain.

119 All the wicked of the earth you count as dross;

    therefore I love your decrees.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,

    and I am afraid of your judgments.

121 I have done what is just and right;

    do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being;

    do not let the godless oppress me.

123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation,

    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

    and teach me your statutes.

125 I am your servant; give me understanding,

    so that I may know your decrees.

126 It is time for the Lord to act,

    for your law has been broken.

127 Truly I love your commandments

    more than gold, more than fine gold.

128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;[a]

    I hate every false way.

129 Your decrees are wonderful;

    therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The unfolding of your words gives light;

    it imparts understanding to the simple.

131 With open mouth I pant,

    because I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

    as is your custom toward those who love your name.

133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise,

    and never let iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from human oppression,

    that I may keep your precepts.

135 Make your face shine upon your servant,

    and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears

    because your law is not kept.

137 You are righteous, O Lord,

    and your judgments are right.

138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness

    and in all faithfulness.

139 My zeal consumes me

    because my foes forget your words.

140 Your promise is well tried,

    and your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised,

    yet I do not forget your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

    and your law is the truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

    but your commandments are my delight.

144 Your decrees are righteous forever;

    give me understanding that I may live.

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord.

    I will keep your statutes.

146 I cry to you; save me,

    that I may observe your decrees.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

    I put my hope in your words.

148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,

    that I may meditate on your promise.

149 In your steadfast love hear my voice;

    O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.

150 Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near;

    they are far from your law.

151 Yet you are near, O Lord,

    and all your commandments are true.

152 Long ago I learned from your decrees

    that you have established them forever.

153 Look on my misery and rescue me,

    for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

    give me life according to your promise.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

    for they do not seek your statutes.

156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;

    give me life according to your justice.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

    yet I do not swerve from your decrees.

158 I look at the faithless with disgust,

    because they do not keep your commands.

159 Consider how I love your precepts;

    preserve my life according to your steadfast love.

160 The sum of your word is truth;

    and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

161 Princes persecute me without cause,

    but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162 I rejoice at your word

    like one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood,

    but I love your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you

    for your righteous ordinances.

165 Great peace have those who love your law;

    nothing can make them stumble.

166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,

    and I fulfill your commandments.

167 My soul keeps your decrees;

    I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep your precepts and decrees,

    for all my ways are before you.

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;

    give me understanding according to your word.

170 Let my supplication come before you;

    deliver me according to your promise.

171 My lips will pour forth praise,

    because you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of your promise,

    for all your commandments are right.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

    for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,

    and your law is my delight.

175 Let me live that I may praise you,

    and let your ordinances help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,

    for I do not forget your commandments.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 119:128 Gk Jerome: Meaning of Heb uncertain

2 John Salutation

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from[a] Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Truth and Love

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we[b] have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

Final Greetings

12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.[c]

Footnotes:

a. 2 John 1:3 Other ancient authorities add the Lord

b. 2 John 1:8 Other ancient authorities read you

c. 2 John 1:13 Other ancient authorities add Amen

3 John Salutation

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when some of the friends[a] arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends,[b] even though they are strangers to you; 6 they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; 7 for they began their journey for the sake of Christ,[c] accepting no support from non-believers.[d] 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the friends,[e] and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Everyone has testified favorably about Demetrius, and so has the truth itself. We also testify for him,[f] and you know that our testimony is true.

Final Greetings

13 I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14 instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

15 Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name.

Footnotes:

a. 3 John 1:3 Gk brothers

b. 3 John 1:5 Gk brothers

c. 3 John 1:7 Gk for the sake of the name

d. 3 John 1:7 Gk the Gentiles

e. 3 John 1:10 Gk brothers

f. 3 John 1:12 Gk lacks for him

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Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie

P.O. Box 4000

Riverside, CA 92514-4000 United States

Phone: 1(800)821-3300

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