01/22/2021
When we achieve something without doing the work or abiding by the rules then we find that there is a hollow place in us where satisfaction, joy, and great peace should reside. It is the same in our faith, and the practice of our religion. Vying for a position of faith, or to be a board member, without being honest in our faith, or by seeking votes by subterfuge, leaves us wanting; we might be called a deacon, or be voted onto the board, but how are we left feeling as we stand before God? Men can’t see our heart, but God can, and He sees an emptiness there.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 ESV
We do many things in our life, some are of this world, and some spiritual, but regardless of what we do our actions should always reflect Jesus Christ. Who is in our heart today? In our opening scripture Paul is writing to Timothy of his coming death, and he says that although he has fought the good fight, and finished the race, he has always kept the faith. Can we say this of our lives, that we have always kept the faith? Or, do we have holes in our lives and religion that are empty, and don’t reflect the light of Jesus?
“And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
John 12:44-46 ESV
We might feel an earthly satisfaction when those around us celebrate the ill gotten victories in our lives, but if we have won them by cheating, lying, or pretending, then what do we really have? If our life becomes a constant game of liar’s poker, and those around us are never certain of the truth in our actions and words, then who are we? When God looks into our heart what will He see, because he knows the truth?
Before there was instant replay in the American National Football League, every play, or penalty called, depended on human judgement. Players might drop a pass, but they were trained to quickly scoop up the ball and act as if it were a completed pass in hope that the official might be fooled. They also learned to do things that were against the rules, and how to disguise them so that the officials wouldn’t see them. Many games were won in this way, but when those players went home at night, and laid their head down to sleep, what did they say in prayer? Would the Super Bowl ring they would receive truly be theirs? Would their prayers for forgiveness follow them all their lives as they continued to live out that lie of long ago, repeating it as if it were truth?
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”
Proverbs 19:5 ESV
We might tell a lie so often that we begin to believe it ourselves, but in the end it will still be judged as a lie. Sometimes our lies are only realized by ourselves and God, but most lies are found out by others eventually. We have sayings about people like this. I have heard these in particular... “He wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him in the butt!” and “He’d climb a tree to tell a lie rather than stay on the ground and tell the truth.” Is this how we would like to be perceived by others, because it is how God sees our heart!
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
Proverbs 21:6 ESV
So how do we choose to live our lives? Are we going to live as Paul did so that we too can say “I have kept the faith.”, or will we go to our graves having fooled everyone but ourselves, and God? We are meant to make amends for sinful actions, and few scriptures make this more obvious than this one...
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for teaching us how to live a righteous life, and for showing us, through the life of Jesus Christ, how we are to accomplish this. Lord, let your Holy Spirit guide us in prayer and open our souls to receiving forgiveness in your eyes. Strengthen us Father as we face the wooing temptation to lie, and cheat in an attempt to gain earthly rewards. Send an Angel to stand between us and our desire for carnal pleasures, and to defeat our longing for Ill gotten riches. Keep our focus fixed on your Word, and the life of Jesus Christ so that we will not present you with a faith riddled with holes on judgement day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who knows our heart and soul, and sees every discretion commuted in our lives. Praised be your name for sending your Son Jesus to redeem us, and to fill the holes in our faith so that we can perfectly reflect Him once more. You are merciful Father, and your grace makes it possible for our faith to be repaired, so that we will be found worthy before you in judgement. Hear our prayers of contrition Father, and taste our tears of remorse as we make right our transgressions, and seek to reflect the light of Christ in all its perfection once more. Heal the wounds we bear Lord, so that we can honestly say “I have kept the faith!” In our final hours, and before you at the gate of eternity.
Rich Forbes