Whether you accept it or not, it is what it is!

The whole reason I post Devotionals is to encourage the Body of Christ to engraft Truth into their life. Let’s consider a question: What happens when                                                  you won’t accept the                                                  truth?

First, we must consider the motives for this refusal, then we will look at the consequences. Our example will be those that had all the Data of theology, but refused to accept it. The Jewish leaders were the best trained men in Israel on the facts of the Messiah, yet when He came they refused to embrace that Truth.

The first motive is the root of all sin and is called the “great sin” by C.S. Lewis.

Pride

They would not believe that this could be the Christ. I fear that even today a lot of theologians will argue with Jesus when He returns, because they think He did it wrong! Sadly, many times we will not admit something just because we are too proud.

John 7:45–52 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.”  The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? “No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? “But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) said to them, “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”

The result of this motive is always a fall - Maybe now, but if not, for sure later!

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

The second motive finds its source in the lust of our flesh

Personal Gain It might cost us something.

Mark 15:9–10  Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

Results: there are 4 results! Let’s look at the first one now:

1. Lose your integrity – When you will not face the Truth you will lie - The Jewish leaders were going to protect the Romans. Refusal to accept the truth sets up, strange alliances

Matthew 28:11–15 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,  and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”  And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.

"In its purest form, truth is not a polite tap on the shoulder. It is a howling reproach. What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions. They are commandments. Are, not were. The sheer brilliance of the Ten Commandments is that they codify in a handful of words acceptable human behavior, not just for then or now, but for all time." Ted Koppel – “Night Line“

We will look at the other three next!