“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
TEXT — 2 Peter 1:16-21
Message
Like in the time of the Apostles, the “world of religion” today is characterised by fables, human ideas, myths, philosophies, leanings and postulations that lack divine backing. In many cases, such are fabricated to solicit allegiance, propagate a belief, become famous, recruit disciples or counter the truth. Fables and myths can also be completely untrue, weak, overly simplistic or misleading even when they affect the targeted audience. Anything serious and of eternal significance cannot be based on fables.
Today’s text shows Apostle Peter emphasising the authenticity and trustworthiness of the apostolic testimony concerning Jesus Christ’s majesty, power and the reliability of the message the apostles preached, being firsthand eyewitnesses of His transfiguration. The Apostle reverberated the credibility of the gospel message, grounded not in cleverly devised myths and philosophies but in eyewitness testimony. He assures believers that the Scriptures are not mere human inventions but are inspired by the Holy Spirit, carrying the authority of God Himself. The prophecy (God’s word) came not by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The world is full of absurdities in the name of religion. Worse still, Christendom has been infiltrated with cunningly devised fables, syncretism, hero worship, mysticism and doctrines of devils. False prophets and false Christs are rising up daily, developing fables to authenticate their so-called calling. There are those bent on rejecting and disparaging the deity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Others give their own interpretation to the Bible. These should not surprise true believers as it only confirms the Scripture’s position on end-time events.
Our faith as Christians must be well rooted on what the Holy Bible reveals about the Trinity, birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His provisions for our salvation, the Christian life and comportment, and heaven. Our faith must not be based on any form of private interpretation of the holy Scriptures but on the totality of the revealed word of God. Anything short of this is akin to following cunningly devised fables. We also have the responsibility to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3).
Thought for the day
Christianity is God’s way of life, not some religious fables.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
1 comment
I was reminded of a time two of us sat with another friend to find out and teach how a person according to the scriptures is to come into a relationship with God.
I was reminded of a time two of us sat with another friend to find out and teach how a person according to the scriptures is to come into a relationship with God.
How does your church teach that to individuals