The Real Thing!

How long would you listen to me tell you about something I appeared to know nothing about? How could I describe to you something I had never experienced? Perhaps I could relate what someone else had described, but you could probably tell by the manner in which I related the facts whether it had really been my own experience or not.

There is a problem in this world with trafficking the COUNTERFEIT. KNOCK-OFFS of name brand items -- though cheaply made by someone else -- are offered as the real thing. Such does not sit too well with the person who finds they have been duped. However, thinking about this spiritually, could we be guilty of trying to pass off UNLIVED TRUTH? Have we tried to convince others of a life we ourselves have not really experienced?

Jesus charged some of the leaders of that day as being long on the preaching, but quite short on the practice. We read. . .

"(1) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, (2) 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, (3) so practice and observe whatever they tell you -- but not what they do. For THEY PREACH, BUT DO NOT PRACTICE." ( Matthew 23:1-3 ESV)

No wonder Jesus so often addressed practical, to the heart, aspects of the law they were missing. God's commands were relative to daily living and were intended to be lived out in practical ways.

Even for us today, the most convincing way to get others to accept the validity of the truth of God as being "the real thing" is to live in a manner which clearly reveals we truly believe it. As we strive to help others come to understand the joy and the peace of a life associated with Jesus, they need to see that GENUINE JOY AND PEACE in our own life. When we talk about the blessing of forgiveness can others sense the REAL RELIEF that is ours having the weight of guilt lifted from us? This world is really in need of "the real thing." May we live in such a manner that God's Way will be known for what it truly is; the pathway to eternal life.

Have a great day DISPLAYING GENUINE GODLINESS!
Carl

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