You may have read stories about imposters getting into White House dinners or the Cannes Film Festival.
Today I’m going to shock you with the story of an imposter who is still at large. He may even have tried to fool you!
But first, welcome to “Mornings with Bishop Robert.” I’m NOT an imposter, this is really me; and I’m really glad you’re here. My goal is to introduce people to the Jesus they never knew, and help them get to know Him and His word personally – and better ! If our time together today speaks to your heart, then let me invite you to like, subscribe and share it with a friend !
In 2002 Hollywood A-listers Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio starred in “Catch Me If You Can,” a film about a con man named Frank Abagnale who played cons and cashed $2.5 million in forged checks while staying one step ahead of the FBI by impersonating a Pan Am pilot, a Georgia Medical Doctor, and a Louisiana prosecutor. And all before he reached his 19th birthday. Supposedly.
One would think that, knowing Abagnale was a convicted felon and a con man, folks would take his claims with a grain of salt. Or a 50 pound bag of it. In the ensuing years, journalists have debunked most of his claims as recklessly exaggerated at best and utterly false at worst. Official records show he was in the navy for a few months and in prison for a few years. He wasn’t released until eight months after his 20th birthday. Detailed examinations of other records have debunked his claim to have worked as a physician at Cobb General Hospital in Marietta, Georgia. He never passed the Louisiana Bar exam, was not employed by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and never closed a single case for them, let alone the 33 he claimed. Abagnale is apparently still playing his con, as the YouTube video of his recent talk at Google would seem to demonstrate. You’d think THEY would know how to research facts, right?
Trusting an imposter can be a very big mistake! And Frank Abagnale Jr is not the imposter who is still at large I intend to warn you about.
Today’s verse says SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO ONE ELSE.
That’s a pretty bold claim, to be sure. And there are plenty of imposters who want to con you into thinking they have the answer. But Christianity is the only faith that guarantees salvation based solely by grace through faith. That’s because it is based upon a relationship with Jesus, not works we perform. Every other religion on the planet requires specific conditions, hard work and seeking of some special wisdom to gain whatever it is they promise, and that varies.
In Islam, Allah saves whom he wishes to save based upon the obedience of his followers. Muslims have to try and tip the scales in their favor by good works and extra prayers; but there are no guarantees. Buddhists teach that mastering the Eightfold Path is the key to Nirvana. Orthodox Jews rely on strict observance of the Law and multiple good deeds to earn their forgiveness, but have no guarantee of being forgiven. Most “Jews” are secular and do not regularly practice any religious observance; they seem to think that just being born Jewish is enough. The list goes on and on, but not one of them claims to establish a personal relationship with the Almighty that guarantees their forgiveness and acceptance. Only Jesus offers that.
Jesus says it clearly when He tells us whoever believes in the Him has eternal life; whoever does not obey Him will not see eternal life, but the wrath of God remains on them. See, we START from the position of deserving God’s wrath. It’s our fault, because we have sinned. Jesus offers us an option to be forgiven, to accept the price He paid for us to have all of our sins (past, present and future) washed away. This is the testimony we receive from His word, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. Jesus didn’t claim to be “a” way, or even the best way – He said He was “THE way.”
The enemy wants you to believe that he has the answer you need. If you want to think there is no God, no heaven and no hell; he’s fine with that. Or if you want to try and work your way into heaven, he’s got several plans to choose from. But he’s a liar and an imposter. He is the imposter still at large that you need to be very concerned about. He’s trying to trap you in his con. If he does, your life is going to be ruined; and your eternity is going to go down in flames.
Don’t trust imposters and con men. Liars lie, not a big surprise there. Many of them are very convincing; they’ve gotten good at it through extended practice. But an impressive and skilled liar is still a liar.
Don’t bet your life on an imposter. Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE life. And no one will make it to heaven without Him.
SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO ONE ELSE, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN TO MANKIND BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.
