"Keep It Real!"

I’ve often wondered how so many religious doctrines have come about in the past ten or so years, more importantly; how their level of influence increased within the popular culture. For at least the last ten years Islamic Mosques have been erected all over the city of Philadelphia. Mormons are roaming through “every city USA” seeking new converts to their belief, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a long standing of knocking on doors across the country; and lately the so-called “Original Hebrew Israelites” are beginning to gain attention with their rhetoric. In “Pied Piper” fashion the youth of the world have been mesmerized by the hip-hop culture and are living out their lives through rap music, becoming a law unto themselves.

It is just as the Apostle Paul warned Timothy, the day has surely come when the world will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lust will they heap to themselves teachers having itchy ears; so easily turned away from the truth and following after fables…(ref. 2^nd Timothy 4:3-4)

But what is the crux of the whole issue? Could it be that Jude’s proclamation was true when he warned that some ungodly people had wormed their way into our churches, saying that Gods’ marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives…? (Ref. Jude vs. 4)

You can say that I’m proposing the faults and issues we now face both within and without of the church began with “church folk”… or should we call them; “The Great Pretenders”? You see them every day: living next door, in the cafeteria at work, in the super-market, in the lottery line, at casino’s and night clubs, sneaking in and out of sleazy hotels and motels; on the deacons board, in the pulpit, handing out tracks in the parking-lot, then on Sunday morning, usually after the alter-call and the offering, they show up; just in time to hear the choir.

They pretend to live spotless lives all-the-while forgetting that you were all just partying together the night before. What happens when those who see them rushing off to church every Sunday approach them with a serious prayer request and in need of real breakthrough? They soon realize that the very so-called saint they depended on can’t even get a prayer through.

It has been said by some that the only Jesus most people will see is you; but that can only happen if his Spirit lives inside of you. There are too many church folk pretending to walk in the Light when there is no apparent light shining from them. Quite naturally when the culture realizes this fact, the “Body of Christ” is accused of not “KEEPING IT REAL”.

Our testimony becomes a testi-phoney before an unbelieving society.

Must I remind you that we are indeed living in the last of the last days, and the return of Christ is nearer than we might think? Perhaps we should get back to some basic Christ-like guidelines and holdfast to the truth found in the word of God. But where do we begin? Here are just a few suggestions:

·         Walk In The Spirit – I speak to you about the Spirit of Christ. Jesus promised not to leave us comfortless and pointed out that when the Spirit of truth comes, he would lead us and guide us all the while bringing every word that he spoke, back to our memory. By obeying the Spirit, we will not succumb to the imaginations of our flesh and will not heap sin and shame upon our spirit-man. Nor will we make a practice of going against the grain of Gods’ word… (Ref. Galatians 5:16, John 14:16 &26, 15:26)

·         Trust In The Lord – One of the biggest problems within the church is that too many Christians are accustomed to making decisions without inquiring from God their next course of action. Even kings of old knew enough to seek the face of God in good times and bad. It is imperative that the born again believer seek instruction from the Lord concerning all matters, for to do otherwise will lead to certain destruction  (Ref. Proverbs 3:5, 16:20, 28:25, 29:25, 14:12, 1^st Samuel 30:1-8)

·         Stay In The Word – It is impossible to understand and know the heart of God without studying the Bible at home and in church. In fact, we can’t even begin to understand who we are without being made alive and empowered by the word of God. Traveling through this life without studying the word is equivalent to driving cross country for the first time without the aid of a road atlas or gps. Not only will you realize from whence you came, but also where the Spirit is taking you. A constant diet of the word will show that you’ve been approved by God to live it and share it. Keep the word close to your heart and you will not err in your ways. (Ref. Psalm 119:11 & 16, 119:50 & 89, 119:105, John 6:63, Hebrews 4:12, 2^nd Timothy 2:15)

And above all; “Don’t Forget To Pray”…prayer is an essential weapon in your arsenal. Many things are accomplished through prayer. For God has said: “If my people, which are called by my name, would humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land… 2^nd Chronicles 7:14

By becoming real men and women of God, we demonstrate that we really do love the Lord and are able to really obey his commandments. Now when the culture sees you they’ll know that Jesus is real because based on your obedience to him alone, you are able to “Keep it Real”.