Day 184 "Watering down the truth to fit our agenda is a sign of watered down faith."

Day 184 Matthew 22:23-33 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.” Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. The Sadducees would be the equivalent of what we would today call the liberals; their intent was to mix just enough truth with their own beliefs in order to give their belief validity. Again, knowing the truth was never the goal; the goal for them was to justify their position by bending and watering down the truth. While I realize that there are those who read this and disagree with me about some of the points, I must say to you that I am simply repeating the truth as it is written in the Word; therefore, take up your issue with the One who inspired it. The fact is that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection; they believed that life ended upon death; therefore, they were not simply asking a question of Jesus. They were actually making fun of Him. However, once again, Jesus used the very scripture that they were said to have studied to trip them up and reveal to all the true desire of their hearts. It never ceases to amaze me how many people make up their minds about something and then argue the point to death when the truth would suit them better. Here's a simple one for you: if life begins at a point other than conception, why do we need to kill it to make a choice? The choice has already been made, and the only alternative to life is death, and no matter what abortionists say, this is the truth! No matter how passionate we may be about something, God is not interested in our passion–He is, however, bound by, committed to, and will fulfill all truth; therefore, little else matters. The truth is this: when Jesus quoted the scripture, it said, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," not ‘I was.’ If He had said ‘I was,’ it would be past tense, and those who had died would, in fact, be dead; however, He said, "I am"–present tense; so they are still alive, and they are, in fact, with Him. Therefore, they have been resurrected, and that is why the people wondered so at Jesus. He took the obvious truth and turned it back on the arrogant deceivers and allowed the simple truth to disarm them. Far too often we strike up a cause that has no root, no depth, no bearing. Why, so we can be right? How can we be right when what we are doing is wrong? Impossible, yes? Are you fighting for a lost cause, and are you challenging the truth in order to justify your actions or desires? If so, please stop. God is not impressed, and neither is anyone else. Daily Prayer: Father, may we learn to seek Your will, allow You to do our warfare, and trust You to hear our prayers in order that we may focus our energies toward truly pleasing You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Watering down the truth to fit our agenda is a sign of watered down faith." Gene Burroughs, Pastor