“Let’s Be Real”
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:5-10 (KJV)
Of all the things God desires of us I believe what He desires most is that we simple just “Be Real”
Be honest about our lives. Last time I checked there are no perfect church members, no perfect preachers, deacons or Sunday school teachers. We all make mistakes; we all say the oddest things at the wrong time. We all sometimes do things we should not do and neglect to do things we should do.
This is nothing new even the apostle Paul got real with his life in Romans chapter 7.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:14-25 (KJV)
This is more than the cry of one desperate man; it describes the experience of any Christian struggling against sin or trying to please God by keeping rules and laws without the Holy Spirits help. We must never underestimate the power of sin. We must never attempt to fight it in our own strength. The devil is a crafty tempter, and we have an amazing ability to make excuses.
Instead of trying to overcome sin with our own willpower, we must take hold of the tremendous power of Christ that is available to us.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:19-20 (KJV)
How many times have we sat through a sermon at church and when we have opportunity to respond we set there, like who me?
People are so afraid of what others might think if they come to an altar. People hide behind all their excuses. Heaven help us if our hypocritical mask falls off and we see ourselves for who we really are.
People allow pride to keep them from coming to God and asking for help. Their life is a mess and they come to church with their fake smile on as though all is well.
They are very critical of everyone else’s faults while their own go unrestrained. The more people ignore the call from God to repent, the more they think they are getting away with something. But the truth is every time they walk away their heart is becoming harder and harder toward God.
Folks all God is looking for out of us is to just Be Real, be honest with Him and ourselves.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I once had a pastor friend of mine tell me; He said, Mike I am going to heaven if I have to ride this altar all the way there.
The man was certainly not perfect by no means; but he was humble. When he preached there was power behind his preaching. He preached from his own life experiences not something he read in a we are all going to heaven in a little row boat book. His preaching was real because he was real with God.
Folks if we humble ourselves and just get real with God, then God has promised He will get real with us.
We need the power of The Holy Spirit working in the church again. But He cannot work through a hypocritical life.
