Heaven Sent or Clever Facsimile?

S - "And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭5 ‭MSG‬‬

O -  Jesus himself warned us to be on guard against all others claiming to be the Christ; or as stated above, all clever facsimiles. These cunning copy cats are not limited to individuals but include the "composite Christs" presented by religious groups and philosophical ideologies. It's a concern which became the motive for a letter in the Scriptures, Galatians.  “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” The Jesus of the Scriptures (of the four accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is often very different from the Jesus of those who claim to be representing him. According to Jesus, there is a litmus test to confirm that we are following the real one and not a clever facsimile; the Jesus the Scriptures testify to but don't reveal (John 5:39-40). We should always believe Jesus about Jesus rather than someone else about him.  A Jesus humans can reveal is only a facsimile. The Jesus God sent is the Jesus flesh and blood cannot reveal (Matthew 16:13-19). 

A - The Jesus heaven sent (the Jesus of John 3:16) is himself the good news. He is the message God sends to the entire world (not just the religious or Christian world).  He is the same everywhere and for everyone while the composite Jesus isn't. I admit that I cannot reveal the Jesus who is life but I do know him and can share with others what I am experiencing in him and learning from him. He isn't a concept or principle we fold into our world view.  He's not a discovery made or an insight revealed by humans.  Jesus is a person reveal by the Spirit to be known and loved as a person … and he is the most amazing person one can ever meet.   

P - God who gives us Jesus,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and your purposes.  I will rely on your Spirit as you intend.  It is such an amazing journey to be in league with Jesus; living in him not to him; working with him not for him.  Thank you for letting us live and pray in his name.

All my love,

Steve