Daily Devotions
[Jesus said,] “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” Mark 13:22-23
I’m told that those who handle money are taught to look for counterfeit bills in a certain way. They don’t learn about what counterfeits would look like; instead they learn what the genuine article looks like. There are many ways to make false currency, but the real thing is always the same.
So it is with Jesus. He never changes, but how do we recognize Him when He comes? In John 5:39, Jesus provides the answer: “The scriptures testify about Me.” The Holy Scriptures tell us who Jesus is, why He came, what He did, and what He’s going to do.
A good summary statement is found in Ephesians 2:8-9, which tell us that our salvation is a gift from God through Jesus. Most false Christs would cast doubt about the “gift” and the “not-by-works” part, turning our attention away from Christ for the assurance of salvation toward their own words or our own worthiness or feelings. Because we are sinful, we live under the law, and anything that turns us away from Christ is false ― no matter how comforting or reassuring it may seem. During Advent, as always, it’s important to keep our focus on Jesus so that we won’t be deceived by counterfeits.
Prayer: Lord God, we praise You that through Your Holy Word You have shown us salvation through Your Son, Jesus, that we may live our lives in perfect hope and trust in Your gracious forgiveness. Amen.
© 2006 Lutheran Hour Ministries
These devotions have been written by Rev. Paul and Kaye Wolff. Rev. Paul Wolff is a 1996 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He has served as a pastor in the Detroit area for 10 years. He and co-author wife, Kaye, live in Southfield, Michigan.
Kaye Dumas Wolff is Chairperson of the Black Ministry Church Planting Task Force and a Mission Affiliate of LCMS World Missions where she serves as a training facilitator for laity in evangelism and mission work. Kaye serves on the Advisory Council of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and she is a presenter for Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Equipping to Share Workshop.
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