Dear SCC & Friends,
…clouds without rain… ~Jude 1:12
Reflection #235
Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real. Hypocrisy is advocating behaviors that one does not practice. The word hypocrite comes from the Greek word hupokritēs meaning “stage actor.” A hypocrite is someone pretending to be something that he or she is not in order to receive recognition or gain… At some level we all struggle with hypocrisy… acting gracious in public with a different attitude in private… speaking one way to a person in their presence and disparagingly behind their back. Like the Pharisees of old, life becomes an outward performance rather than an inner integrity. The Apostle Jude called hypocrites “hidden reefs” …caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit… ~Jude 1:12-13 The ensuing effect is shadow over substance, image over character and religion over relationship. The Lord wants something much different… He desires truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part He will make me know wisdom. ~Ps. 51:6
Even after we come to Christ, we remain susceptible to religious performance and pretense… Being a Christian means that we have changed on the inside, being religious means we have to appear changed on the outside. ~Anon.~ It becomes obvious when we strain and strive to create a better version of ourselves in the eyes of others… Pleasing man over God is always a dead-end street. One way to describe spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus. ~Eugene Peterson~ The Lord is for us; we will not fear; what can man do to us? ~Ps. 118:6 Jesus made His purpose clear with two simple words… Follow Me… ~Jn. 1:43 We may regret many things in this life, but one thing we will never regret is following Jesus, who is forever faithful and true… We have an ongoing choice to make… empty wells or living water? May we always choose the latter… He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From our innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ ~Jn. 7:38 Keep up the good work!
Made for these days,
Kevin