ARE YOU THE REAL DEAL…OR A SPIRITUAL FRAUD?

"THE FACTS OF THE MATTER"

"A weekly letter of encouragement to business and professional men and women"

June 23, 2010

Good Morning!

Jesus, in his epic encounters with the religious leaders of his day, pierced their pharisaical armor, exposing their deep-rooted hypocrisy.  I wonder how you and I stack up with them in these four areas:

 

·         They had a superficial relationship with God: “You have never heard [the Father’s] voice nor seen his form” (John 5:37b). (See 2 Tim 3:5; 1 John 1:1,2; 4:12)

Question:  Are you experiencing the refreshing presence of God in your walk, worship and times alone with Him?  Is the Spirit of God ministering to you at the deepest level?  Or is your relationship with God obligatory and boring?  (See Ps. 68:9; Hos. 6:3; Mi. 5:7; Ezek. 34:26; Acts 3:19)

·         They possessed a cavalier attitude toward the word of God: ^”There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! Yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:38, 39 Msg. John 5:40 NIV).  (See Matt 22:29; Luke 4:4-7, 11-14)

Question:  How closely does our life resemble this indictment:  “You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God (Matt. 22:29b).”  (See Isa. 66:2b)

·         They where more interested in garnering the praise of men than possessing the love of God:  Jesus:  "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts…How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?  (John 5: 41, 42, 44).”

Question:  What is it that really motivates you?  The love, fear, and approval of God? Or the sanction and acceptance of men?  (See Acts 4:19; 5:29; II Cor. 5:11, 14; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thes. 2:4)

·         They were easy targets of fraudulent religious leaders: ”I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him (John 5:43 (NIV).”  (See. Matt 24:4,5, 11,  22-27)

Question: Have you settled it once and for all that Christ, the Son of God, is Lord of all, and that you intend to follow him all the days of your life?  Or are you an easy target for spiritual cons? 

This week may you experience His grace, peace and protection!

R. Dwight Hill