Mattthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Gene Roddenberry the science fiction writer detailed a world of the future in which you could pull communicators off your belt, flip them open and talk to another person. That was unheard of then, but flip phones are nearly a thing of the past. The next generation of communicators didn’t need to be opened, just press the pin on your shirt. Bluetooth devices are activated with just a touch. How about video conferencing, Skype, yes Gene saw that coming also.

Does this make Gene Roddenberry a prophet? Some of the ideas Gene used were based in science, sound science, unrealized potential. Others followed behind Gene and said, “We can do that.” We now have computers that talk and respond to voice commands. We are trying, if not on the edge of creating artificial intelligence. We are programming right now at the molecular level. We are even manipulating DNA.

This past week I read an article entitled, “Replacing God”. I know they thought they were being clever but that idea was acted on before history began. Ecclesiastes has a verse that says there is nothing new under the sun. We are such a vain people we don’t want to believe that. New things are being created every day. Really? Is it possible that the only thing that is happening is that we are just becoming aware it for the first time?

How will this deception come which Christ warned us about in Matthew 24:24? Will it be that we think this is Christ because only Christ could possibly do these things? What if Christ-fiction, like syfy, becomes part of our awareness? Is it possible that you will be deceived, the same as those who saw Gene Roddenberry as a prophet? Is it possible?

If you know Christ you will not need to see miracles. If you know Christ, you will not need to see His face. If you know Christ you know the sound of His voice. Do you know Christ or will you be like many who say, “There he is!”

Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Be not deceived, know Christ.

Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Witnessing Christ is a social event. We are asked to salt and light. We are asked to spread the gospel. This is done in a social setting. The difficulties we often have in witnessing is in our view of worthiness. If we are not well received we deem those people as unworthy.

It is a common problem in witnessing Christ. We see really bad examples of it and tend to shy away from those approaches because we did not respond to sandwich signs that “Repent Sinner” on one side and “The End is Near” on the reverse. We hate to hear people preach love in angry voices. We know what doesn’t work. But what does work?

Are we so far removed from that initial contact to remember what happened? Do we really understand what happened during the initial contact? At the time of initial contact we were sinners, void of any spiritual insight, void of salt and light. If I could explain what happened then words would fail me because it wasn’t part of the social agenda.

“Let peace come upon it.” Peace is a fruit of the spirit. It will not and does not act upon social agendas. The Holy Spirit falls upon those present at the social event and abides upon those whom God has chosen to move, deemed worthy which is another way of saying ready to receive. We are not responsible for spreading that peace any more than a person who has the flu is responsible of infecting others. We are merely carriers.

Colossians 3:15a let the peace of God rule in your hearts

Let that rule guide you and leave the rest up to God.