The Fake It To Make It!...Or Not!

I feel like I start out saying that it has been a while a lot, but it's been a while. I hope everyone reading had a blessed Christmas and New Year's celebration. I'm so pumped for this year. All of this being said, I feel there are some areas we need to grow into this year as the Church, Christ’s Bride. I have been doing a study with some local high school students in 1 John and would like to show you something that has been hurting my heart recently.

Before I give you the verse, let me explain some things about 1 John. Church history teaches us that the Apostle John, author of the Gospel and Revelation, is the original author. He was a first hand witness to the things of Jesus and he would be qualified to write this next passage of scripture. On top of that, he is being led by the Holy Spirit in writing this God-breathed exhortation. Finally, it’s good to note that he is writing to people who are submitted to Jesus, and is explaining the standard of living for all believers. We will discuss this further as we go.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

Let this passage sit with you for a moment. When I read this I was spiritually smacked in the face relatively quick. John wants the reader to know that there is an assurance in Jesus. Meaning, every believer will know that they are in Him, and one of those way is to live out His Truth. As a believer I read this and thank God for this opportunity, without Jesus this option isn’t here. But John is addressing a problem he sees with the Church. He notices in verse 4 there are a lot of people who don’t understand the opportunity.

See Jesus didn’t die so that we can say we know Him, claim to be His brother or sister and live like the spawn of Satan! Does it bother anyone else that there are a lot of fakers in our churches, Bible studies, and families? I’ve heard the saying, “Yeah, I was always taught people can just fake it till they make it…” That hurts to even type that line. Talk is cheap!! What happened to the generation of people who stood firm on God’s Word and looked at this passage and asked the question, “God, where do I stand in this passage?”

Read verse 4 again, and realize you make Jesus a liar! Yes, we have an opportunity to represent the God who created the universe and we would rather walk in darkness than in His light, and on top of it all, we try to tell others we are in the light! Foolishness! God send your repentance to your church!

Then he flipped it on me, “Bryan, are you living in a way that pushes and drives others to live this verse out as well?” I would like to make an argument that I am, but compared to Jesus, I have no ground to stand on. My plea is not to say that I’m so righteous and that everyone reading fails it. My aim is to refocus us on this next idea.

We can actually live out verse 5! IF, we get something very important. The natural progression of every believer is submission to the Truth, and empowerment by the Truth.

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. 1ohn 4:23-24

He’s showing us we need to submit to His presence! Don’t read these two sets of verses and get this all backwards! We are not to read these and say, “Oh I get it! I want to live for Jesus, so I just have to follow His ways and His teachings!” If this were all we had to do, there would be no reason for the Cross, there would be no reason for the Holy Spirit. This Walk is impossible without Christ! We must be reborn, made new, and reunited with our Heavenly Father! This means we have a new way of thinking, acting, speaking, teaching, new desires, new passions, new loves, and new everything! We have the opportunity to have the God-Shaped hole in our heart filled and live out verse 5. Look, the reason we have atheists is because too many people claim to live for a God who exists, but live as though He never existed! It’s time we confess, repent, and cling to Calvary’s Covenant!

Where do you stand?

What will you rely on?

Are you submitted, or are you the faker?

I Love You Beloved!