As we bring to a close the topic of ‘Are You Real With You?’, lets first break down what we have learned about it. Week 1, we spoke on how this question has a tendency to ruffle some features when its asked. Week 2, we spoke on how people use their own standards to judge their lifestyle or support it. Week 3, we spoke on evading and even questioning the truth. Sometimes in facing the truth, the things that were easy become hard all of a sudden. Week 4, we spoke on the work and amount of honesty you have to apply to change. Change comes with some resistance, but nothing that’s truly rewarding comes easy. Now here we are, looking back on all the ways the enemy tries to keep us from evaluating our lives. Have you ever gotten dressed to go out with the lights off? This is how we are with ourselves sometimes. We blindly put on everything that the world provided us with, but when it comes to seeing how it truly benefits us we turn away. Not seeing what the truth is does not mean it doesn’t exist, it simply means that when under attack you are purposely unprepared.

Often times people seek out things because of it’s convenient. The ability to get to it as often as possible has become the comfort for most. For some reason the effort of trying has somehow become a myth. We seek out and expect the reward with the least amount of effort. If we study the word of God we will see the things God provide are not temporary, but permanent. There is a story in the book of Acts Chapter 3 where a lame man was begging. The word lame means to not be able to walk and in his case he was like this since birth. He was at a gate called “beautiful” and he was begging everyone who passed who were going into the temple. The lame man stopped 2 disciples by the name of Peter and John before they walked into the temple and asked them for “alms”. Alms are anything of monetary value, often times money itself. Peter and John looked at the man and Peter said to him, “Look at us” (This in itself allowed the reader to understand that the lame man was embarrassed of his begging because he was ashamed to even look at them). When the beggar fixed his eyes on them, he expected money but Peter said, “I have no silver and gold but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk!” Scripture tells us that the beggar immediately gained strength in his ankles and legs and began to walk. Although this was a great miracle performed, the understanding of what God does is as equally breathtaking. Instead of giving this man something that would hold him over for a day (money), they gave him something that would sustain him for the rest of his life. God gave him a way to provide for himself. Also, a faith firsthand that NO ONE could shake.

Many of us do what some call “jumping the gun.” Yes, we prematurely put ourselves in compromising positions and stay there because of fear. We don’t like to really face the truth in most cases. In John 8:32 (ESV) it says, “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” We complain about what we don’t have accessible to us and what we need but when the truth is there to seek out, we shy away from it. Don’t allow the enemy to convince you that “you have time.” Time for what exactly? Time to watch your family decay, friends hurt because of the lack of truth or your marriage end. The enemy provides easy routes for us but they ALWAYS end up in damage. There is no greater love than the love that Christ provides for His people. I challenge you today to ask God to reveal to you “areas” where you need to change and improve,but allow

 

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