Seeking Something Real?

Does anybody watch these so-called “realities shows” on television? According to the Nielson Ratings, millions do each week. I’m talking about shows such as “The Bachelor,” “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” and the like. Somebody needs to tell me exactly what’s “real” about any of this stuff.

Seriously, how real is it when your life is being filmed for a television audience? Do the participants act as they normally do, given there are camera crews and lighting technicians and sound guys and capturing their every move? That’s not real. And don’t forget that the content that makes its way into your living room has already been through the editing and production room.

And I can’t help but wonder how much of the “drama” that occurs in these shows is scripted by professional writers. How many of the scenes are staged? How many “takes” might they go through before getting it they way they want it?

I’m sure there’s enough raw, unscripted footage to make these shows appear to be “reality,” but come on. When they’re doing the auditions for “American Idol” and they let this guy sing “Amazing Grace,” and he brutally butchers this beloved hymn, then throws a fit when the judges tell him he doesn’t make it – that’s just a bunch of baloney.

Does it sometimes seem like just about everything in our world is fake? Remember when you used to trust what Walter Cronkite reported on the evening news? Now you watch the news and wonder what their agenda is, and who’s buying the network’s lead story. There was a time when people used to have real friends who talked face to face with one another. Now they’re more likely to text instead of talk, and connect with their 200 “friends” on FaceBook or follow someone on Twitter instead of building real friendships with real people.

If you’re looking for something real today, then look to the Word of God. You will never be misled, never be deceived, never be disappointed and never be disgraced. God’s Word is the most trustworthy reality show that’s ever appeared across the face of history. His Word was true from the beginning and it will be true for all eternity. “Heaven and earth will pass away,” said our God in the flesh of Jesus Christ, “but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

Friend, you can believe the Bible is the Word of God – you’d better believe the Bible is the Word of God! Archeology and history affirm conclusively the fact of the written Scriptures, far more so than any other piece of literature ever produced. Written by the hands of some 40 different men over the course of some 1500 years, under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind.

The Holy Scriptures tell us of who God is and what He has done. All of Scripture is a testimony to Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners by dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and rising from the dead on the third day. The Bible tells us that Jesus is also coming again, and coming soon, and it urges us to repent and trust in Christ now while the time of God’s favor and salvation remain.

The Bible testifies unto itself that, “All Scripture is God-breathed,” (2 Tim. 3:16). Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is flawless.” Joshua spoke before the people of Israel proclaiming, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed” (Josh. 23:14). And Psalm 119 reads like a beautiful poetic dissertation on the hope and light and delight one finds in the unchanging, matchless Word of God: “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (v. 89).

You want reality? Immerse yourself not in front of the LCD screen, but in the measureless depths of the Word of God. See for yourself that God is real, His Word is sure, and His truth is forever. Experience the joy and peace of knowing and loving the great Author of our salvation. And drink deeply at the fountain of life – real life, life that is abundant and eternal, offered to you today by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.