The Real You!

Have you ever taken a walk in a cemetery? It can be a very interesting place. Reading some of the grave markers we get glimpses of the duration of a life lived and sometimes even a briefly stated reflection of the mark that individual left on others. As we look over the tombstones we may notice some to be quite ornate and well kept while others may be very simple or show the wear of exposure to the elements. While walking through cemeteries where the plots are kept up by the following generations of family members, we may observe some that appear to receive frequent attention while others may be as forgotten as the one who had passed on. Nevertheless, in spite of all the variation of these scenes, what is below the surface is pretty much the same.

Someone has stated… “Reputation is seeming; character is being.” [source: list of “sentence sermons”] Having a good reputation is a noble aim. However, the reputation on the surface may not truly reflect the TRUE ESSENCE WITHIN. It is not enough to aim to seem. We must seriously consider WHAT WE BE!

Perhaps you are wondering why this focus began with a consideration of cemeteries. Remember Jesus’ rebuke directed at some of the leaders of that day.
“(27) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are LIKE WHITEWASHED TOMBS, which outwardly appear beautiful, BUT WITHIN ARE FULL OF DEAD PEOPLE’S BONES AND ALL UNCLEANNESS. (28) So you also outwardly APPEAR RIGHTEOUS to others, but WITHIN YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS.” ( Matthew 23:27-28 ESV)

These -- sometimes referred to as experts in the law ( Luke 7:30) -- had become experts at putting on a show. They loved the praise of men. ( John 12:43) They loved to be greeted with respect. ( Matthew 23:7) They loved the place of honor at banquets and in the synagogues. ( Matthew 23:6) However, Jesus could clearly see the corruption and decay that lay below the surface.

What is the TRUE ESSENCE of our life? Are we continuing to earnestly seek the praise of God? Are we willing to humble ourselves before God, letting Him be the One to do the exalting? Is there a godly beauty on the surface of OUR BEING that goes all the way to the bone? We might be able to fool others for a while, but eventually the TRUE ESSENCE will show through. May we continue to grow spiritually in a way that when others begin to dig deeper below the surface they will see that we truly are sincere Christians through and through.

Have a great day DEVELOPING A DEEPER GODLY SENSE OF BEING!
Carl

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