Deception Would Steal You Away

If someone's lying to you
If you are being deceived
If there are lies that could hurt you
Do you want to believe?
Frauds and hoaxes, forgeries
To prove Jesus is true?
No, 'tis just the opposite
Who lies to me and you?
The enemies of Jesus
Those who exalt mere man
Who stress knowledge as the serpent did
This is their crafty plan
For if a man will trust himself
And not trust his Creator
The enemies of mankind
Will own the world's theater
And tempt imaginations
And take psychic control
Are our brains like receivers
Just waiting to be told?
Quantum physics says yes
Brain waves can transmit data
Quantum computers prove that's so
Like the miracle of broadcast radio
Every man judges himself
Given the right to be free
Freely we choose our behavior and will
And so there's accountability
God is a liar to some
Others say he's far away
Some say the Bible is filled with errors
The latter wise to say
If all the errors are lies
Who is to blame for the errors?
Is there no truth in the world?
Are we doomed to live with terror?
Fear and guilt go hand in hand
Some guilt we ought to feel
The guiltless are narcissists
Fearlessness, pride never kneels
Guilt for the proud causes anger
Anger, not fear or remorse
If we are angry, insensitive, proud
Then we're not humble, of course
Angry, insensitive, proud people lie
To get the things that they need
Assuming that everyone lies to get by
Is there no one to believe?
If there are those who tear down ...
The message of love, peace, redemption
Will they see God, our Creator, redeemer
If they choose lies and deception?
Where are the biblical lies?
Where are the questionable verses
If one possesses freedom from death
Does he speak anger and curses?
Jesus' foes don't deny he arose
They left this miracle in
If he was killed, though an innocent
Who then is guilty of sin?
Jesus was filled with compassion
Joy and love did he bring
Would he reprimand friends in anger or fear
If only good news did he bring?
If Jesus did not fake his death
If he rose, being heaven sent
Would he rebuke friends with hostility*
Or offer encouragement?
The story of Jesus is beautiful
Who then would take it away?
Who would replace the defeater of death? ...
We'll choose our Messiah one day;
Deception would steal you away.

*The most reliable early Bible manuscripts and other ancient witnesses DO NOT contain Mark 16:9-20, which follows:

9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

DAMNED LIES!

-- Randall Carter Gray