A Certain Brand

The other day I came across a list I made of brands that we like so that when we go the grocery store we can look for those brands. That is what came to mind when I was reading this verse this morning.

"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough." - 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 ESV

The Gospel of Grace is a certain brand of good news. There are other brands out there. If we are fickle we might just compromise and make substitutes. I'd say in certain arenas that isn't a bad thing. I have made plenty of substitutes in recipes only to find that I liked the new ingredient better but spirituality is different. Purity is of paramount importance.

Pure devotion requires a understanding of Jesus' character and nature.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:14, 17 ESV

Jesus was full of grace and truth. The Gospel of grace also has that unique mixture.

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:6-10 ESV

Jesus died on a cross to give each individual a gift with no strings attached. It is pure grace and unadulterated truth.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." - John 3:16-18 ESV

"And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?" - 1 Corinthians 14:8 ESV

I look for this sound. I always need to hear it because this message is the message that gives life. This Jesus is the Jesus where we find salvation. He is not religious or lascivious. He is the Jesus who laughed and cried. He healed and men left their nets to follow Him. His message is empowered by His Spirit and forms His Church.

You can't find this everywhere. Just like not every store is going carry the kind of bread you like no every messenger is going to be filled with grace and truth. When we find it that is where we go and shop... even if it is out of the way to get there.

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