Pretense

"Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."  

2 Corinthians 8:21

I usually observe the Show, but this time I was part of a Scene.  I laughed to myself as I realized that I had become part of Improv.  Same characters, same Actors, same Show, different Set.

Act 1:  The curtain rises, and two women are talking about their week, as another lady joins the conversation.  The previous conversation ceases, and rehearsed lines are spoken.  One corner of my mouth begins to lift.  Do I dare allow the other side to follow?  I am mesmerized as the Scene unfolds.  Are the Actors aware that I have already seen this Play?  It takes everything I have inside me to refrain from applause, to cry out, 'BRAVO!  ENCORE!'

Act 2:  I can no longer participate in this Scene.  I decide to walk away from the Actors, and as I slowly walk away, the curtain begins to fall on their laughter.  They believe they pulled off another Act; little do they know I have already seen it.

Pretense: A claim made or implied, a false show, make-believe.

"He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."

Proverbs 10:9

Matthew Henry once said, "Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed."

This world hides behind pretense.

People are searching for the Real, the Genuine, The Truth.

Do they see it in you?

In John 14: 8-9 Philip asks Jesus to show them (the disciples) the Father.  In Jesus' reply, He tells Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."

So, Christian, when other's see you, do they see Jesus?  Or is it all just a Show?

Are you a fake?  A phony?  Or are you the real deal?

The Finale: "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."  Words of Jesus, Luke 12:2

"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."

Proverbs 12:22

It's time to stop pretending...

    It's time to be real...

        So, others can see Jesus...

            But that's just me!

"Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions."  Matthew Henry