PRETENDERS OR GENUINE?

PRETENDERS OR GENUINE?

Matt 15:8-9

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Jesus had the divine ability to know which worshippers were pretenders and which were genuine. John, in his Revelation, said: “His eyes were as a flame of fire!” He knew when worship was ritualistically performed and when it issued forth from a full and glad heart.

           Pretenders work hard to protect their image and reputation while true worshippers are clothed with humility. They know they are just sinners saved by grace. While not tolerating sin, they are also not judgmental. They know that any righteousness they have has been acquired by grace and not works. They are more concerned with the reputation of God.

           Pretenders find it difficult to admit their spiritual needs. They feel it will make them look weak or incomplete. True worshippers freely acknowledge their incompleteness. They know they are poor and needy and nothing without Christ.

           Pretenders have a hard time saying: “I was wrong; will you please forgive me?” True worshippers are quick to admit their offense and to seek forgiveness.

           Pretenders tend to deal in generalities when confessing while true worshippers are quick to name specific sins.

           Pretenders are sorry about the consequences of their sins while true worshippers are grieved over the root cause of their sins. Pretenders are sorry they got caught.

2 Cor 7:10

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Dear Lord, do a divine work in my heart and make me genuine in my faith. AMEN