We've all been lied to.

The other day, I'm listening to some guy on the radio who all of a sudden proclaims: "We've all been lied to. Every single one of us has been lied to."

That got me to thinking about all the various ways we've been lied to.

This is a non-partisan rant because we've ALL (you and me) been lied to by:

• Republicans
• Democrats
• Independents
• We've been lied to by Obama and Geo.W. Bush. We were lied to about the Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq wars. When some soldiers like Pat Tilman were killed by friendly fire, our government tried to cover it up and lied to us and the families.
• We've been lied to by the media who refuse to report all the facts, and conveniently edit the facts to support their leftist agenda.
• We were lied to about Fast and Furious as well as the IRS targeting conservative groups, and of course, Benghazi, where the President and State Dept. wanted us to believe that this tragedy erupted
  
  because of a YouTube video.
• We've been lied to by those who tell us there is a political solution to the mess we're in as a nation.
• We've been lied to by those who would have us believe that the next election will turn everything around for our nation.
• We've been lied to by our teachers and professors who tried to brainwash us with information that wasn't really true, accurate or necessary. They tried to build up our self-esteem at the expense of being tough on us and giving us a solid education that could have included critical thinking and hurt feelings because we didn't study enough and weren't prepared.  

• They lied to us about the environment, about the dolphins, about global warming, and of course, about Obamacare.
• We were lied to about the measure of success. Making a million dollars or more didn't make us feel any better or give us any more purpose in life. Having a BMW and a new Lexus didn't help us sleep any better at night.
• We were lied to when they told us that religion is a private thing--just keep it to yourself. 
• We were lied to when we thought we could have it all, forsaking nothing.
• We were lied to when we thought that being a good, moral person is good enough to get us into heaven.
• We were lied to when we were told that "all roads lead to heaven."
• We were lied to when we were told that Jesus was a great man, a great teacher, a great leader, but he certainly wasn't God.
• We have been lied to on a daily basis when we think that "sin" is an outdated, old-fashioned concept and that we are basically good people, with good intentions.
• We have been lied to when we thought that we could ignore the spiritual vacuum deep inside our soul by just keeping busy, by constantly being entertained, and seeking new "highs" and "thrills."
• We were lied to when they told us that it was "ok" to be a Christian, just don't go overboard with it. Don't become one of those religious, right-wing "nut jobs" who think Jesus is concerned about every aspect of their lives, and actually hears and answers their prayers.
• We've been lied to by those who tell us that the mess we're in as a nation is a call to action rather than a call to get on our knees and pray.

Where does all this lying come from? What is the origin of all the LIES?

Jesus said to the Pharisses  (John 8:44), "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

All lies originate with Satan (the Devil) who was there in the garden lying to Eve when he told her that if she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that she would be like God. And, he's been lying to us ever since.

There is a Truth that will set you free...

If you are seeking the truth, seek the One who is TRUTH.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the TRUTH and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, (John 8:31-32) 
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Some Good News for you this Christmas!

Here's something to think about: If you knew that you could go to heaven in your new resurrection body along with no more pain, no more problems, and on top of everything else, you'd be reunited with all your loved ones, would you want to go? Of course! But what if there was just one problem--What if Jesus wasn't there? If Jesus was absent from heaven, would you still want to go? Would it still be heaven?
                                                      What is the Good News? 

What message did the angel proclaim to the shepherds on a lonely hillside outside of Bethlehem? If you asked the average churchgoer in a Southern Baptist church around where I live, they'd tell you that the Good News means you're saved and going to heaven. Others would say that "forgiveness" is the Gospel. But is that really the good news? Is being forgiven and getting your ticket punched for heaven the essence of the Gospel?

If Jesus wasn't there, would Heaven still be Heaven? 

The point John Piper makes in his book, "God Is the Gospel" is that heaven isn't heaven without Jesus. Yet many Christians would still want to go there, even if Jesus wasn't there. Why? Because they don't really KNOW Jesus. Salvation to many so-called "Christians" means you're not going to hell and you get to go to heaven. But all too many "Christians" know nothing about Jesus, much less knowing Him. He is not their daily bread, or their daily portion. They don't worship Him because they don't love Him. They love church and Christianity, but not Jesus. They love the gifts, but not the Giver Himself.

Here's the Good News that the angel announced to the shepherds on the hillside outside Bethlehem.

Luke 2:8-14 (NLT)
⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,
¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,
¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Merry Christmas: God is the Gospel

This Christmas, the Good News is that God is the Gospel. God came down to earth, became a man, lived a sinless life, suffered on a cross, died, was buried and rose again on the third day--Why? So that you and I could be with Him, see Him in all His glory, and KNOW Him. That's what Christmas is all about. It's about the ultimate gift: A relationship with God Himself. He is our everlasting treasure!

Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. 

• Search for Him. Find Him. 
• Get to know Him. 
• Christmas is not about church or religion or helping others. 
• It's not about Santa Claus, or giving or receiving presents. 

It's all about Him. Christmas, the Good News announced by the angel to the shepherds is that our salvation has come, and that salvation is wrapped up in knowing and being with Jesus. He is the Gospel. It's seeing him in all His glory and letting His glory shine forth in our daily lives.

I'm on my quest to get to know Him, to learn about Him, to love Him and worship Him. Some days are better than others. Sometimes I drift back into religious piety and put my quest on hold. But deep in my heart, I know this: I want to know Jesus because He is the Gospel.

Merry Christmas.