2 January 2016 - subtle liars

[ Today's Readings ]

Who is the liar? 
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. 

This lie sounds obvious when we hear it like this. But it often takes more subtle forms. Life sometimes promises happiness that can only come from God. In subtle ways, entertainment, pleasure, and relationships whisper that they are the Christ. We try to solve eternal problems with transitory solutions. Other people need our help and we act like we are the Christ. We feel like we have to be the Christ, because otherwise, how could we help? We need the focus and confidence of John the Baptist:

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.” 

We know that Jesus is the Christ and yet we begin to drift. We nee to remain in him. We need to let what we have heard from the beginning remain in us.

And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

And we have something which John the Baptist does not have to help us to remain in him. We have the anointing which comes from the Holy One which John predicted.  He said "I baptize with water" but predicted the one to come who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Because we have this anointing we don't need anyone to teach us anything altogether new or novel. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand what is in conformity with the truth we are given and what is not.

But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; 
just as it taught you, remain in him.

So we must remain in him. The Holy Spirit is a force multiplier for reminders like this. He shows us that they are true and gives us the strength to put them into practice. He helps us to recognize when other things try to usurp the place which only God should have in our lives.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.