December 1, 2015
Fact or Fiction?
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
Friend to Friend
There is a tale told of the great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something."
"Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher."
"What is the reason for the difference between you and me?” The preacher asked. “You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all."
Macready answered: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
Bam! Zinger.
This story both motivates and cautions me. Let’s be honest, Christians embarrass the cause of Christ all the time. It’s vital that we be confident in the message of hope we cling to as believers in Jesus, but it’s equally vital that we be prepared to share truth in love – share Scripture in proper context – share our hears with meekness and fear for the purpose of attracting others to the restoring love of Christ. We don’t need to be Bible scholars with capital letters following our names ... but we DO need to be Bible girls!
No one needs to harp on the fact that there’s a great moral decline in the world. We see that coming and going! As Girlfriends In God let’s commit to making a difference in the lives of others, in our homes, among our friends, in our communities, and in this world.
How? Here are a few ways we can prep ourselves to be ready to represent the hope of Christ well – as fact not fiction:
Know the Word of God. Pray and think through current issues. Share your story. Be prepared to talk about how you have been changed by the love of Jesus. People around us need to know that God is still in the restoration business – and that He longs to bring His peace, hope and love to every life.
Look at the apostle Paul. He was prepared to speak about Christ wherever he went. In New Testament book of Acts, we learn that, “He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. (Acts 28:23b, NIV)
The life-changing, peace-giving Truth we know needs to be presented to the world as life-changing, peace-giving Truth! So I will get in His Word – get in His presence – and look for opportunities to share God’s love as truth with confidence.
Will you join me?
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please forgive me for the times when I doubt your truth, or fear speaking it. Help me to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope I have ... to speak of Your unfailing love and unchanging truth to those around me so that they might be drawn to your heart. Draw me to Your Word and teach me Your ways.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read 2 Timothy 1:12: “Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed...” Can you say that and mean it?
Have you been changed by God’s grace? What is the hope that you have in Christ? Grab your journal or visit my blog and write a few sentences or paragraphs that describe how God has worked in your life. It’s time to testify some truth, girls!
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