In high school I took AP US History. I was definitely an A-B-C student so I was a little out of my league. In my class there was this girl that answered every question. The teacher LOVED her answers. In turn, I was not a big fan of her. However, I never had anything better to say so I remained silent. Until one day. My teacher asked, “Why do you think Truman dropped the atomic bomb, what motivated him and what was his reasoning?” This girl instantly raised her hand with some profound reason. I then thought to myself, here is my chance! I raised my hand and said, “I respectfully disagree, I think he was motivated to get in the history books.” She responded, “Are you being serious?” with a look of disgust. As I noticed my teacher shared her same facial expression, I quickly realized I was wrong and shut my mouth!
I think this type of a scenario happens more often than we would like to admit. We see someone else and how they act or how people respond to them. Then we respond by trying to be someone we are not. We try to one up them or join them to give others a false impression of ourselves.
"We respond by trying to be someone we are not."
This happens a lot in church. In fact, look at one of the first sins committed in the church.
Acts 5:1-11 “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”
Kind of a downer of a story huh? Reading this outside of the context is not fun! This family brings some money to the church, which is a good thing. However, they are a little misleading about it, so they are struck dead?! Ummm! However, check out what happens immediately before this passage, the end of chapter 4:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:32-37
Adds a little context right? The whole church is placing all they have before the apostle’s feet. Then there's this guy who sells a piece a land and brings the money and gives it to the church. The dude looks awesome, he was very generous.
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sell the same land. It’s as if they want the same accolades. It’s as if they want to give the IMPRESSION that they are just as ‘holy,’ ‘noble,’ etc. So they lie. They are hypocrites in that they are trying to make people believe something true of themselves that simply isn’t the case.
"They are hypocrites in that they are trying to make people believe something true of themselves that simply isn’t the case."
Again, aren’t we guilty of the same thing! How freeing would it be if in our churches people were honest and true to themselves. Wouldn’t it be great if people could be honest about their struggles without being judged and instead were able to find help. What would it take?
"Wouldn’t it be great if people could be honest about their struggles without being judged"
It takes understanding fully that God knows you, knows EVERYTHING about you. Nothing is hidden from Him. It would take trust. Trust that people will accept the real you. Trust that God can and WILL use the real you. Ultimately a willingness to give God glory. When we admit to our own weaknesses or inabilities, God’s strength is displayed. When His strength is displayed HE GETS THE GLORY! When we try to be someone we are not, it’s a ticking atomic bomb waiting to go off. It’s much more freeing to simply be who God made you to be.
May we search God out and understand who He made us to be. May we understand His complete acceptance of who we are in Christ. May we never look to one up anyone, but take joy in how God has blessed others. May we see how He has blessed us. May we always look to be honest in what we say and how we act. May God get the glory in our weakness and His strength put on display!
Keep praying for one!
Pastor Jason,
Lead Pastor of Wellspring Church
Click here to learn more about Wellspring Church in Toms River!
