Can’t Fool God
December 14, 2005
Isaiah 29:13 & John 4:23-24 & James 2:18
“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts.” ~ Psalm 51:6
What sin did our Lord Jesus condemn more than any other sin? Hypocrisy - especially the flagrant, self-congratulatory kind practiced by the religious leaders of His day. These were men who thought they could fool God with their outward actions, while concealing hearts that were hard and uninterested in what God truly wanted - earnest, heartfelt devotion reflected in changed lives. (Read the second lesson above.) They did not have a desire for truth in their inward parts.
I think the best punctuation to this was in a convocation address delivered by Luther Smith, a professor at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, where he warned against the danger of “faking it” - pretending a faith we don’t really have. He cited a bumper sticker that read, “Jesus is coming. Look busy.” What insight!
Strangely enough, the religious actors among us think they’re fooling people and hope they’re fooling God when they are, in reality, just fooling themselves. After all, although someone might get by with deceiving those around them, no one can realistically expect to spoof the God of the Universe. But then, let’s be honest with ourselves. Could there be a little of this in our own lives? Ouch - that’s gonna leave a mark!
Without question, we. of course, might be able to look busy - putting on the outward appearance of working for the Kingdom, but we can’t deceive God about our faith, our character, or our service. Like the Pharisees, whom Jesus denounced in our lesson, we could appear to be sincerely religious - living by a rule of life. But the Lord knows if our profession is merely a facade without saving trust or genuine devotion. In short, beloved, He knows our hearts. This begs a good question for our Advent devotional time - when we look at ourselves in light of His Second Coming, when we will see Him face-to-face.
Are we a churchgoing version of the people Jesus declaimed? Do we have earnest and heartfelt faith that yields good works and the Fruit of the Spirit - or are we “filling our God square,” looking good on the outside, when, all the while, our hearts are far from Him? Are we depending on our good works to gain entrance into Heaven - or is our faith like that of the Protestant Reformation - founded on the Five Solas:
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory)?
As we seek the inspiration of God the Holy Ghost in our Advent devotions this week, may we meditate on this thought: is God’s glory our first motivation in worship and daily life? Do we want truth in our inward parts?
May God arise in all our lives before Him!
Grace and peace,
Chip+
The Rev. CB “Chip” Harper
Rector, All Saints Anglican Church
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