…having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
People like to put on a good front. We dress for success. When others are watching, we paste on a smile of happiness. Yet, one of our fears is to be discovered we are not the person we pretend to be.
I recall as a youth around 17 years old coming across a quote. I do not know who to give credit too and I may not have the exact words, but paraphrasing it read: “Shame on my parents for making me who I am, but shame on me for staying that way.” This quote has stayed with me my entire life. It always reminds me not to accept being a victim but realize we can choose to change.
After following Christ for a whole number of years, I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and felt the impact of one of those spiritual slaps. It shook me. I came to realize my life was far from how a disciple’s life is described through the pages of the Bible. I would read how an apprentice of Jesus Christ would experience HIS peace, joy, and love along with all the other fruit of the Holy Spirit. How a student of Jesus would yearn to be like his Rabbi. Yet when honesty took me by the hand, I had to admit the emptiness was deafening.
Yes, I put on a good show. The smile, the handshake, the proper words at the right time, everything one is trained to work a room for personal gain. But the power of God was missing. I questioned my beliefs. Was the Christian faith a facade? Another religion created by people to control the masses and make one feel good about themselves? Well, it wasn’t working for me.
Then, we dug deeper. Remember the quote: Shame on my parents (teachers) for making me who I am, but shame on me for staying that way, became my mantra. Opening the Bible, we began an in-depth study of being a follower of Jesus Christ. And as any long-term student of HIS will attest, HE led me through Scripture, books, and people and eventually to a place of repentance of failing to empty myself for HIS name sake.
To live the good news of Jesus Christ means replacing oneself as the central core of life with HIM, his Spirit, and his God. When one empties themselves of pride, channels their desires built on the Triune God’s value system, and puts into practice the ways of HIS government, one begins to experience the power of a relationship with the Creator of the universe.
The inner sanctuary of the human heart becomes a peaceful and joyous home for your Maker. You begin to realize God lives in you and moves you like a partner on a ballroom dance floor. You don’t understand all the nuances, but learn to trust someone who loves you so much you cannot fully express the thankfulness of the situation.
The power of God resides in you. Yet you need to learn how to allow God full access into your inner chambers of the heart and mind. When you do, you begin to experience and express real godliness in your life without even attempting to make it happen. You begin to live the Good News, experience the Good News, and share the Good News with others.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:
* Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married
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