Written by Janna Shick
Have you ever visited an old western mining town and felt like you stepped back in time? The buildings have clapboard siding and each store seems to feature the iconic screen door that slams behind each customer. Sometimes there are lively reenactments between outlaws and the sheriff in the town square. So much detail is given to the traveling tourist to make them feel like they are reliving moments in our nation’s western history. It’s easy to imagine horses at the hitching rail and a dozing cowhand sitting on the porch.
As a young person I visited a similar town and the scene looked so real that it was exciting! I couldn’t wait to explore the area and try to pan for gold like a real miner. However, I vividly remember the disappointment I felt when I walked down a side street and saw a “different” town. Instead of the unique old stores and their colorful signs I saw ordinary brown buildings. It was easy to see the outline of the store fronts but they were just that – a front or a façade. The beautiful old-fashioned town was a pretense with a modern building structure behind.
Consider the dismay that our heavenly Father must feel when He sees people in a similar situation. Individuals who look the part of being a Christian but do not have a true walk with God. Instead of a heart that is clean and pure from sin, a cheap religious façade is propped up to cover all manner of wickedness. From a human perspective, an individual like this may seem righteous but God knows for certain. “…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).
In Bible times, the scribes and Pharisees were excellent at dressing the part, but were void of true spiritual understanding. Jesus called them out and said “…hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). God expects His people to be the real “deal” – not actors and actresses who expertly say religious clichés on cue.
God expects His people to be the “real deal” – not actors who expertly say religious clichés on cue.
At the Church of God, we are genuine. What we say we are is truly who we are – holy, pure and honest. Remove us from the church building and we will still act the same for our actions are not based upon our surroundings but on our heart. We have been transformed by the blood of Jesus; there is no need to live under a false pretense. There is nothing to hide for our sins have been completely taken away.
Just as we are faithful to God, we are true to one another. We aren’t fair-weather friends or using imitation friendships for selfish gain. The members in the congregation genuinely care, no matter the age difference or family size. We are bonded together throughout the ups and downs of life. Our pastor shows his love for us by diligently preaching scripture-based sermons, the truth of which he himself lives, clearly pointing the way to heaven.
Dear reader, there’s no need to crouch behind a cloak of religion where life looks good on the outside but the heart is empty inside. Come join us for service and find out how you can truly live life upfront and honest. “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (II Corinthians 8:21).
