the plain truth
“ ‘How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You really are the Messiah, tell us so in plain words.’ Jesus answered: ‘I did tell you, but you did not believe.’ ” —John 10:24-25
There have been skeptics in every age. There have always been people with a “hard and impenitent heart” (Rm 2:5), who “refuse to believe” (Jn 10:26). These people are the rock-hard ground on which God’s Word falls (Mk 4:4, 15). Yet, while walking in the forest, I have often seen large trees growing directly out of huge rocks. Even the hardest hearts can be cracked open by the Word of God, which is “like a hammer shattering rocks” (Jer 23:29).
We only have a short lifetime on this earth in which to believe in Jesus — or not. Moreover, we only have a short time on this earth to bear fruit for the kingdom of God. “The time is short” (1 Cor 7:29). “The world as we know it is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31). Therefore, it is absolutely vital to believe the testimony of Jesus, Who speaks with authority (see Jn 5:31-39).
We who believe in Jesus urgently need to receive His love and then share our testimony of what He has done in our lives. We who believe in Jesus are His voice, His hands, and His feet, as St. Teresa of Avila said.
Let Jesus use you to spread the plain truth, to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), even to the fiercest skeptics. “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5). Then tell whatever He does.
Prayer: Father, I am all Yours. Do whatever You must in me in order to do whatever You will through my life.
Promise: “No one shall snatch [My sheep] out of My hand.”—Jn 10:28
Praise: St. Louis’ greatest work, True Devotion to Mary, lay hidden for over a hundred years after his death. After the persecutions ended, a priest found the manuscript and published it.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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