The Real Deal

“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” ESV Proverbs 23:23

Have you ever purchased an imitation (purposefully or not) that didn’t hold up like you thought it should? Maybe you bought a name brand garment only to find out later that it was a fake. Or perhaps you intentionally bought a look alike product because it was cheaper than the original. I guess we have all have a unique story we could tell about imitations. But I’ll bet we would all agree that imitations generally don’t stand the test of time. There are usually differences in quality and/or construction that affect the usefulness or endurance of imitations.

Then what is it that attracts us to imitations? The obvious answer is generally the cost; imitations are cheaper. However, the root attraction could be envy, lust, jealousy, peer pressure, desiring to be accepted or even simple pleasure just to name a few. We do live in a society that promotes instant gratification you know.

Sadly, the same root causes for purchasing imitation “stuff” can cause us to buy into false teachings as well. What I mean is that the same underlying reasons that attract us to cheap goods can draw us to cheap teachings as well. Paul warned Timothy to be on watch because a time would come when people would not endure sound teaching, but instead would find teachers to suit their own passions. (2 Timothy 4) This explains why we have millions of people tuning into the likes of Oprah, Dr. Phil, Ellen, Donahue (in another era) and countless others for answers to life questions. Their teachings satisfy our passions; they tell us what we want to hear. But does their advice endure? Does their advice stand the test of time or does it change with the whims of their viewers? I’ll leave you to answer.

Now please allow me to make my point using Scripture. Isaiah says it better than I ever could: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (ESV Isaiah 40:8) The Bible has stood the test of time. False religions have come, gone, are in abundance now, yet all will ultimately pass. But the word of God has endured and will endure forever. You see, God’s word is the real deal. The Bible is truth; not a cheap imitation designed to suit our fancy.

So, let me encourage you to take this proverb to heart; “buy truth and do not sell it.” Buy the truth of God’s word and hold onto it tenaciously. Because when you lay hold of Scripture, you possess a great treasure. With God’s word, you have an enduring foundation that is well suited and sufficient as the rule and guide for your life. The imitations will fade, but God’s word will endure forever; it’s the real deal.

Having just celebrated Easter, we know that Christ’s humility was not in vain. Death couldn’t hold Him; He rose from the dead! And God the Father has honored Him with “the name that is above every name.” He has been given the name before which “every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ESV Philippians 2:10-11

If you, like me, have ever been guilty of letting pride rear its ugly head in your life, I challenge you, in obedience to Scripture and in honor of Christ’s example, to strengthen a relationship this week by deliberately putting someone else’s interests ahead of your own. The results of sincere humility may surprise you. One word of caution though. If you end up proud of being humble; humility escapes you still.