Will the real _____ please stand up? This familiar question originated from a game show called “To Tell The Truth” that debuted in 1956 and ran until 1978. Hosted by Garry Moore, this classic game show included a person of some notoriety and two impostors who tried to match wits with a panel of four celebrities. The object of the game was to fool the celebrities into misidentifying the correct individual and voting for either of the two impostors instead of the real person. The host would close the game by asking the real individual to stand up and identify himself/herself.
The Bible tells us that on the sixth day, “God created man in His image and likeness...” (Genesis 1:26) And every since then, man has been trying to return the favor. As a result, there are countless religions around the world. All of which, are man’s attempt to reach heavenward to God. True Christianity, however, is the only belief system in which God, on His own initiative, has reached earthward to redeem mankind.
Yet even within “Christianity” there are hundreds of denominations, sects, and doctrines that separate and divide us. Not every Jesus is the same…as crazy as that sounds, it is true so please hear me out.
Suppose someone carved a piece of stone or wood into the shape of a man and began to worship it. You would be correct in saying that he had engaged himself in the practice of “idolatry,” even if he named the carving Jesus. Many folks today are still in the idol making business, they say things like “My Jesus wouldn’t do so and so” or “My Jesus doesn’t permit such and such” the key phrase is hidden in the words “My Jesus.”
You see, in an effort to justify ourselves, we will often make a God to suit our lifestyle of sin. If you are addicted to drugs and alcohol, then “Your Jesus” will be lenient toward, or not have a problem with it. When we make a God after our likeness and image, they have a very strong tendency to value and appreciate the same things we do. They will also abhor and detest the same things we abhor and detest.
If, for example, you disagree with the Biblical idea of Judgment and Eternal Damnation in a place called Hell, you simply justify your erroneous belief by creating “Loving God” that agrees with you and is reluctant, if not altogether unwilling, to send His children to that kind of place.
Of course “Your God” won’t send his children or anyone else to Hell…he can’t…he doesn’t exist…he isn’t real! He is as make-believe as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Your “God” is simply a figment of your own vain imagination. I sure hope you are getting this!
Here is the bottom line: Regardless of what you or I call it, regardless of the name we give it, the process of making or creating a God to suit ourselves is called “Idolatry.” And, according to the Bible, if we do that, we are guilty of committing the sin of idolatry…It’s just that simple.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…no one comes to the father except by me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
There are many impostors, there are many vain imaginations, but there is no substitute! The Jesus of the Bible is the ONLY Jesus that there is. You accept all or nothing…you don’t get to pick out peas and leave the carrots. My fear today is that you may be following a counterfeit Christ or that you may have inadvertently fashioned a false Jesus to suit your lifestyle of sin.
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21~23 (NIV)
Satan is working overtime, hoping to mislead you into trusting in another Jesus. Life is not a game, but in the end you do have to have the correct answer and eternity is a long time to ponder having made the wrong choice.
You don’t have to be ashamed if you have been following an impostor, there is still time to change your vote; but now is the time for you to ask the real Jesus to stand up and make Himself known to you!
If you have allowed the real Jesus to make Himself known to you today, or if you have questions and/or concerns regarding this article, please visit me online at www.RichInGrace.com or email me: rich@richingrace.com
