Be Real
The Bible tells us that David grew up as a young shepherd boy and that his family treated him as a cast away. His job was to stay out and deal with the family sheep. But God who sits high in the Heavens and looks down on humanity had other plans for David. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his [the eldest son] appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Sam 16:7 NIV).
In the first century, people in high positions wanted the community to bow down to them and for the poor and commoners to clear a path as they walked by. They were devoid of grace, mercy, and compassion, and Jesus got real with them! He addressed the upper class and exposed their hypocrisy by calling them out for who and what they were. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matt 23:27-28 NIV).
It’s important to stop and ask yourself, “How can I live a life that represents Christ?” The answer is to follow Jesus’ example. He spent His life ministering to the hurting, forgotten, lost, and lonely. Always remember as a Christian you will still struggle in certain areas of your life, but God sees your desire to walk pleasing to Him. The truth is to not act like you have it all together and never look down on others as if your life is perfect. Instead, stay in God’s promises. Surround yourself with transparent people who encourage you to be real and help strengthen you when you need that extra boost.
In the first century, people in high positions wanted the community to bow down to them and for the poor and commoners to clear a path as they walked by. They were devoid of grace, mercy, and compassion, and Jesus got real with them! He addressed the upper class and exposed their hypocrisy by calling them out for who and what they were. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matt 23:27-28 NIV).
It’s important to stop and ask yourself, “How can I live a life that represents Christ?” The answer is to follow Jesus’ example. He spent His life ministering to the hurting, forgotten, lost, and lonely. Always remember as a Christian you will still struggle in certain areas of your life, but God sees your desire to walk pleasing to Him. The truth is to not act like you have it all together and never look down on others as if your life is perfect. Instead, stay in God’s promises. Surround yourself with transparent people who encourage you to be real and help strengthen you when you need that extra boost.