Always wanted a boat, I guess because it brings me back to my early childhood, when my father had one. I don't remember much about that boat, only the feeling of water and wind on my face and the joy it seemed to bring. Then reality kicked in- due to ear problems, I get seasick easily, so NO BOAT!! But in my imagination, I am sailing (and always will)!!! And so, I was quite pleased to see this picture yesterday. Water, sky, sun, darkness- the contrast is breathtaking!!!! And then it hit me- this picture is a study in contrast. But contrast is not restricted to just the physical world around us, it is also exists in how we perceive truth from error.
Next, the question naturally arises- How do we know truth? Evidence, logic and appropriate conclusion are the path to truth. Christianity is not some pie-in-the-sky, made up thing; it is based on fact, documented fact. And the facts that are most pertinent are: Jesus really lived, he was crucified, buried and rose again and was seen by hundreds of people over many days. One of Jesus' apostles says...
1 Corinthians, Chapter 15 (WEB)
1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.
12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. 15 Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.
Facts all, and one more thing- no one ever found his body. Why, because the facts and the teachings of the Bible are true!!!
Consider...
Beginning to see the contrast between truth and lies yet? The tomb is empty, there is absolute truth and it is found in Jesus, who said...
John, Chapter 14 (WEB)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
Which would you prefer, truth or just a pleasant philosophy? I can't answer for you, but I prefer documented truth. Hope you will too...
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