The face palm: that universal sign of amazement
and exasperation. We all have done it at one time or another, usually
when we see something happening that is totally unexpected,
unbelievable or downright stupid.
This concept is not just restricted to today; it has been around
forever, even in New Testament times. The Apostle Paul said…
Galatians
1 ( World English
Bible )
Gal 1:6, I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called
you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;
Gal 1:7, and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are
some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
(emphasis
added)
Gal 1:8, But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach
to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you,
let him be cursed.
Gal 1:9, As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man
preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you
received, let him be cursed.
1
Corinthians 15 ( WEB )
1Co
15:1, Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached
to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,
1Co 15:2, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word
which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
1Co 15:3, For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
1Co 15:4, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures,
1Co 15:5, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1Co 15:6, Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once,
most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7, Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
1Co 15:8, and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he
appeared to me also.
If
you have been a Christian for any length of time then you too have
probably known someone who has not followed through on their
commitment to God. And when you hear about it, you probably did one
of those “face palms” in absolute disbelief. Now, it is difficult
to hear about people who desert Jesus, but at the same time we need
to realize that WE can remain true to the TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL.
Today,
let us pray for those who have fallen away from the truth: that they
might be restored to a faithful relationship with Christ and remain
faithful until death. And don’t forget to pray for yourself, that
you may not enter into temptation. After all, the Devil is a very
deceitful being and we need God’s help to overcome anything he
might throw at us. The good news is that when we do these things, it
is the Devil who will be frustrated and he will be the one doing the
FACE PALM!