Friday, June 18, 2021
REAL RELIGION Submitted by Donnie O'Fallon
In Acts 3, Peter and John are going to the Synagogue to pray in the ninth hour. While going, they saw a beggar at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful asking for alms of those entering the Temple. Peter and John looked at him and said, “look at us”, and he did expect to receive something from them. Then Peter said to him in Acts 3:6-8, I have no silver or gold, but what do have I give to you In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk! He took him by the hand the right hand and raised him up and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the Temple with them, walking and praising God.
When we find Jesus, we have found “Real Religion!” This “Real Religion” can only be found in a Real Relationship with Jesus. My friend, finding the Real Jesus will put a smile on your face; a song in your heart; a bounce in your step; and a fire in your soul!
Illustration - A drowning man was pulled upon the beach, his wife was fighting her way through the crowd of on lookers, asked, what are you doing? The EMT said, “were giving him artificial respiration.” To which she replied, “Artificial nothing, I want him to have the real thing.” To many have settled for something less than the REAL THING.
Here was a man Lame from birth, some 40 years old. Levitical Law prohibited a deformed person from entering the Temple. His friends would bring him to, The “BEAUTIFUL GATE,” just outside the Temple. Also called, “The Corinthian Gate.” The great wooden gate was overlaid with silver and gold panels facing the East. The sun would rise out of the East over the Mount of Olives, and it would burst aflame with brilliance almost blinding you with its beauty. So, it became known as “The Beautiful Gate.” But this beggar was on the wrong side of a beautiful life, crippled with no hope of ever entering. For those who gave to those like him, it was believed there would be given special merit to them. Peter and John said, “all we have to give you is, Just Jesus.” And that was enough. He needed a Real Touch from God. There are multitudes who are spiritually crippled, waiting for a REAL touch from God, to have a beautiful life, and exigences REAL RELIGION. Those in the Temple witnessed this, “Touch from God,” through Peter and John in the Name, Power and the Authority of Jesus.” Peter preached boldly saying to those who witnessed this transformation, “this same Jesus that you denied, delivered up, crucified, buried and was resurrected as he said… Peter simply stated, HE’S BACK.” THE MIRACLE THAT CONFRONTED THEM, those that day caused several to experience, Real Religion.
THAT WAS THE MESSAGE THAT CONVERTED THEM! Peter preached the message of a Crucified, Risen Christ and, as a result of his preaching, literally thousands were saved. Peter said, “He was shown alive by many infallible truths…” He Preached A Risen Lord (15); He Preached A Residing Lord (16); He Preached A Redeeming Lord (17-19), therefore Repent. He also Preached A Returning Lord (20-21). The outlook on Earth, from my perspective, seems somewhat bleak but the up look of heaven is bright. You do not have to stay on the wrong side of the gate! Arise and be healed in the name above all names. That name is Jesus!
