The Case for Naked Truth

Allusion is that method of presenting thoughts or ideas or meaning through indirect methods. A person may allude to their faith yet never state it. People may allude to a commitment to being a follower of Christ but never clearly or directly identify themselves. Indirect preaching has been popularized as “surprising” the hearer with understanding at some point when it more or less “sneaks” in through allusive techniques of presentation and does not require the speaker to be confrontational or direct so as to avoid defensiveness on the part of the hearer. Allusion is a backdoor approach to relating or teaching.

I think it is true that some people are defensive at times when it comes to directness. Mostly they are just offended that someone would be so bold as to confront them about aspects of life that might require their reconsideration or rethinking. As I read the gospels, I am repeatedly confronted with the nature of Jesus’ message as not being a “backdoor approach.” Jesus taught with parables, but not to be indirect…but rather quite the opposite. Jesus offers us direct, forthright, bold, and, yes-- an unsettling declaration of God’s word to each of us. The naked truth…we are sinners in need of repentance and faith and God has sent his Son to save us as we trust in Him.

Delusion is the act or process of creating a false belief in spite of invalidating evidence. It is deception. It is quite popular. Athletes have recently taken to delusion as a means to “con the referee.” Faking being fouled, faking being hit by a ball, faking an extra yard by moving the ball while under the pile --- all are deceptive acts meant to create an advantage through a lie. Too much of the time, we see people in our world “working the crowd” and “playing the audience” with deceptive statements and something less than the truth. Half-truths are always easy to “sell” -- people are gullible and easily deceived.
The scriptures remind us that false teachers are a danger and ignorance is too often the greatest enemy in the room as we seek to learn about God in settings that we trust, but which may not be free of misinformation or misunderstanding. Delusion is a danger to those who are less than discerning in their spiritual journey. God does not play games with us. God does not hide from us. God does not seek to delude us into thinking he is something he is not. God is truth made known again and again to us in the walk, the works, and the life of Jesus Christ. We are not called to change his message or to “trick” anyone into believing. Jesus is the Son of God , the Savior, who died on a cross as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He rose from the dead, destroying the power of sin and death over those who trust in Him as Savior and Lord. He calls us to believe. He calls us to follow Him. The naked truth…Jesus saves.

Illusion is a false impression frequently based on wishful thinking. Illusion is a methodology incorporated by some to entertain, but the illusion often is matched by a distraction from the truth…a misdirection of our attention. While sometimes entertaining, it goes to the point that we are easily mislead. If efforts are made to create illusions, rather than realities, everyone suffers. God did not create a world of illusions. He created a universe of magnificence for humankind to comprehend as the work of God.
He created us with capacities for exercising creativity and having understanding and living in relationship to Him. God does not invite us to be a party to share a ”false impression” but to come to the truth of our need and his provision for that need.
The naked truth….we are sinners in need of God’s grace.

We live in a world that too often uses allusion, delusion, and illusion to sidestep the realities, the truth, and the life God calls us to know in Jesus Christ. Whether we accept Christ or not, the naked truth is God isn’t playing tricks. God isn’t hiding. God isn’t pulling the wool over your eyes. God isn’t out to deceive you into being a Jesus follower.

Truth - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17 KJV