Placebo
Views: 50
A “Placebo” is a medicine or procedure prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient rather than for any physiological effect. It is a substance that has no therapeutic effect. Simply put, a placebo is a medicine which is not a medicine. You are being made to believe it is medicine, because you falsely believe you are ill. This is how someone put it:
"You've been injected with water, but in your mind you've been injected with medicines. And you actually begin to feel better!"
I wish there are real placebos in Christianity; because many profess the saving grace of Christ, yet go looking for solutions everywhere.
In the letter Peter wrote to the churches, he wrote:
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1: 1-8 NKJV)
Peter wrote this likely not long before his execution (vv. 14-15) between A.D. 64-67 in Rome.
In his salutation, he said,
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
Under the circumstances, many would expect Peter to be worried sore, and be asking for prayers so that his life would be spared. Paradoxically, he rather reminded them that God’s divine power has given them all things that pertain to life and godliness. Even in the face of death, Peter did not feel he lacked anything! Peter then went on tell them to diligently add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.
He concluded saying,
“For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter is in effect saying, fruitfulness in the knowledge of Christ is key. As believers, we need to first grow, then be fruitful. Christ has done everything, and has given us everything that we need to move on, and be fruitful; fruitful in righteousness, holiness, and in winning souls.
Unfortunately, many believers still don’t believe they have everything; and allow themselves to be swayed, tossed and deceived with all kinds of doctrines. I have heard people say,
“That prophet just took my money. Nothing worked!”
Well, that was probably a placebo!
Christ is enough, and we need to go on and be fruitful.
MEMORY VERSE
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
(2 Peter 1:3)
QUESTIONS
- Do you believe Christ completed your redemption fully?
- So do you believe you don’t need anyone to deliver you, or provide any solution again?
PRAYER TIP
Father, thank You that I don't need anything; because you have given me everything that pertains to life and godliness. I am grateful.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
The Testimony Devotional website addresses are: