Moss on, The Synthetic Christian
As one who worked in a gas station years ago, I can still remember how customary it was to check the oil, battery, radiator fluid, and air pressure in the tires. Also, if I washed the windshield and windows, that added a special touch to the service. We always did our best to make things sparkle. However, even with all that work, sometimes the windows did not shine. One driver noted the frustration because of the lack of shine and advised this young attendant that the cleaning method was wrong. The driver was correct because no matter what I did on the outside of the windows, they still looked dirty unless the inside was cleaned too! Read about Judas Iscariot concerning his apostasy (Jn. 17:12).
Since we will be judged by the very deeds we do and give an account of how we have lived (II Cor. 5:10), we must be astute in our daily walk before God (Gal. 5:16 and Col. 1:10).
Far too many people who are labeled "faithful Christians" are really tarnished and dirty on the inside as demonstrated by their demeanor. The unscrupulous person is an individual who is without moral principles or ethical standards in his or her conduct (Romans7:15-23). Those who harbor malice toward their brother or sister in Christ are unhappy individuals. This unhappiness often develops into a sinful desire to inflict suffering on others, whether it is through spite, animosity, speaking malevolence, (James 4:11-12) or carrying a grudge (1st John. 2:11, Gal. 5:19-21). One who lives in the pretense of virtue is deceitful and full of hypocrisy. Their goodness of character is fake (Mt. 15:7; Gal. 6:3, 1st Tim. 4:2, 2 Tim. 3:13, Tit.1:16). The church that Christ established must develop the courage to address malicious, and erroneous behavior and speech.
Things are not always as evident as they seem. Some Christians covet the sincerity, dedication, knowledge, and maturity of those they worship with. In other words, they compete using the wrong motives allowing dishonest spiritual traits to develop due to a improper understanding of God's truth. The church has allowed spiritual motives to become confused with worldly concerns (Jude 18-19).
Some Christians have based religion on a building, a pulpit, a human leader, or on social appeal. This fallacy is not a matter of knowledge but one of improper motives. The account in Acts 5 deals with a man and his wife who lied about their contributions. Unfortunately, this poses a problem for those who think that external pretensions will suffice since the plain message of that text is that God knows and understands the real motives and thinking (Psalm 139:23-24).
The meek and quiet spirit of a godly person resounds in heaven while the society charmer fades into oblivion. One can deceive with flattering speech and chants of planting the seed. “I'm planting the seed and God provides the water.” This is an attempt to demonstrate a religious relationship. Humans can disguise their meanness from each other, (1 Thes. 5:21) but cannot conceal it from God. People can be tricked, but Jesus sees through it. Do we dare say, “Lord, Lord” while refusing to accept or understand the truth (Luke 6:46; James 1:21)? Do we risk our souls and repay evil for evil (1 Thes. 5:12-21)? Do we invite Christians into our homes to corrupt them with false allegations against other Christians? Do we entertain by calling it Christian hospitality only to influence other Christians for personal goals? Do we publicly judge fellow Christians by character assassination? Do we use assorted assumptions concerning church members to create an atmosphere of doubt and confusion? Do we lie about our fellow brother while inferring how much we love God? Is the conscience so conditioned that it allows one to speak perverse slander and defraud fellow Christians who serve as church leaders? The irony is acting righteous and behaving improperly (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
The absolute truth is that we are advertising our personal flashes of glory and virtue while judging our fellow man. Christians who act so sanctimonious are after personal attention regardless of the sin committed or the loss of another's spirit. Barnabas reminds us to cleave to the Lord with spiritual purpose of heart (Acts 11:23).
by Dr. Moss Dickerson