18
Jul '20

Too Good to be True

Posted on Jul 18, 2020 in Uncategorized |

18
Jul '20

Matthew 7:15-20 

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
 

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

Back in August 2018, I had hip surgery. Because of my age and good health, the hip replacement was an outpatient surgery. Yes, outpatient – I went home the same day.

To many, it sounded too good to be true. Even my mother-in-law was skeptical. She questioned whether it was a hip replacement or just a partial repair. Many others asked how this could be possible.

The wonder of the surgery is that it is less invasive than the traditional method. Most hip surgeries over the years have been posterior – in other words, going in from the back of the hip. This procedure cuts through muscles to get to the area that is cut out and replaced.

The procedure I had done is anterior. The incision is made in the front of the hip, around the place where your front pocket is on your pants. This method provides the surgeon access to the hip by moving the muscles instead of cutting them. The procedure to cut out the damaged bone and fasten in a new ball and socket area takes about an hour.

I walked out of the surgery center about 10 hours after I arrived.

PBS ran an hour-long program on this procedure if you want to see it for yourself.

I am a believer! I am living proof that it is true.
 

How do we know what is the truth when someone speaks to us about who God is and how God operates?

Does it sound too good to be true?

Unconditional love, absolution of our sins, mercy and grace beyond measure – it sounds too good to be true.

Other voices may speak words that sound like they could be true. How do we know?

Jesus says, check out the results. What fruit is this tree bearing? What is the result of the prophetic word being shared?

How do the words hold up to Jesus’ answer of the lawyer who asks what is the greatest commandment?

Do you remember Jesus’ response? “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Check out the results.

When it comes to hips, you can see what I said is true.

When it comes to God, look for the results. Look for the love. 

Let us Pray: 

Dear God, what you give us is beyond amazing. Your love, your forgiveness, your mercy and grace are more that we could ever fathom. May we listen to your word and follow in your way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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