A friend referred to Facebook™ as Fakebook.
Her remark makes me smile because I know that by carefully posting select
images and edited remarks, we can create an image about ourselves that bears
little resemblance to reality. Not everyone does it, but the temptation is
surely there to create an ‘enhanced’ *(fake) image. With our smartphones we can
even digitally alter our pictures to make ourselves look better. Sometimes that
is quite harmless but it can become an awful trap, a way to live a lie!
There are people who make their living as Image Coaches.
They teach people how to project a public image that leads to better jobs, etc.
There is nothing wrong with learning improved social skills, being coached to
change habits that hinder our interactions with others. It is a tragic endeavor
if a person only works on the outside appearance without dealing with core
issues! For some, life is like a movie set.
Consciously, even unconsciously, they adopt whatever role they feel is
necessary at a particular moment of life. The reality of their life matters
little as long as they know the script written for them by others.
Christian, don’t play that game!
Commit to living AUTHENTICALLY. Why?
Commit to living AUTHENTICALLY. Why?
God asks His people to be people of integrity. If we
choose to appear to be somebody that we are not, we lie! Lying offends God and
is terribly destructive. Perpetuating even a little bit of fraud requires
increasing effort and more fraud, creating dishonesty that grows with a
snowball effect.
Understand that at the root of image-building is an ancient
sin - pride. If we go through the day constantly posing and preening
like a little girl playing dress up in front of Mommy's mirror, we will be
blind to those around us. We will not listen well. We will not be present and
attentive.
The truth will eventually emerge. We cannot conceal our
real selves forever. Better to have been real all along, don't you think? Jesus
said that the mouth is the overflow of the heart. Filter it, suppress it, but
unless we change from the inside out, eventually we will be shown for who we really
are.
Authentic Christians allow the Spirit of God to be in
charge, dying to Self, so that ego cannot press them to serve an image. The
Word tells us to "...serve each other in humility”, for “God
sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter
5:5, NLT)
On the night before His crucifixion Jesus’ disciples posing and striving for first place in their little group. Full of themselves and in love with their images of self-importance, none of them would serve, so Jesus got up from the Passover meal and took up the servant's towel and basin. He made His way from man to man, washing their filthy feet, in the custom of the hospitable household at that time.
On the night before His crucifixion Jesus’ disciples posing and striving for first place in their little group. Full of themselves and in love with their images of self-importance, none of them would serve, so Jesus got up from the Passover meal and took up the servant's towel and basin. He made His way from man to man, washing their filthy feet, in the custom of the hospitable household at that time.
His choice to take the place of the lowest, though He was
the Greatest, shocked and offended those men. Peter protested, "You
will never wash my feet!" But Jesus did. "After washing
their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand
what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because
it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought
to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have
done to you." (John 13:12-15, NLT) While some believers have turned
that into a time of ritual foot washing in their gatherings, I believe that
Jesus was inviting to us to something much more important - serving each
other without considering whether such service is in keeping with our image!
There is a wonderful healing truth for our world of
superficiality and image. It is the assurance that God loves us, not for what
we have done or how attractive we may be; He loves us because we are! He
knows exactly who you are, what you've done, how you think - and loves the
real you. He does desire change and
promises the Spirit to transform but He loves us right where we are.
He can work through people who are real. If we are willing
to pretend, pose, to live dishonestly, we sabotage the inner work of the Spirit
that leads us to Truth. He can forgive our sins, heal our hurts, and give us spiritual
gifts that overcome our innate weaknesses. He will maximize our strengths. But,
first we must choose to be 'honest to God' real; not an easy task, nor a
once and done choice. Authenticity flows out of daily surrender to the Spirit of
God.
Here is a word from the Word today. James is clear. Let’s listen
to his inspired wisdom. "Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by
just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like
people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as
soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that
sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey,
and don’t just hear and forget." (James 1:21-25, CEV)
_________
Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I'm a child of God
Yes I am
Free at last
He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin
Jesus died for me
Yes He died for me
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God
Yes I am
I am chosen not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me not against me
I am who You say I am
(Oh) (Yes) I am who
You say I am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan
© 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by
Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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