Spiritual Pretenders

Acts 5:1-3, 7-9 [1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. [2] And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of  it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. [3] But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?"

[7] Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” [9] Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

Who are we deceiving when we pretend to be more spiritual than we really are? Does not the Lord see right to the heart? What we see in what Ananias and Sapphira did back then is no different than what many in the church do today; and at some point we are all guilty of this. We put up the religious facade, pretending to be someone we are not, spiritually, when we get around others. The Apostle Peter wasted no time getting right to the heart of the matter. Satan put it in their hearts to lie, not to men, but to the Holy Spirit. When we pretend to be someone we are not, in Christ, we are choosing to lie to the One who sees our hearts, knows our hearts, and clearly sees our attempts at deception. We may be able to "pull the wool" over people's eyes, but we are only deceiving ourselves. God is not interested in our religiosity. He wants a genuine relationship with us, and He made it possible for us to have that by way of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. So, the next time the devils tempt us to put up a fake religious front, stop and realize that God sees who we really are. He simply wants us to be who He is molding us and shaping us to be; and when it comes down to it, we are all a work in progress. Let us not be spiritual pretenders.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

The Day Is Coming…Soon

Acts 2:16-21 [16] But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. [18] And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. [20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. [21] And it shall come to pass That  whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

Quite often when we speak of Peter's first sermon at Pentecost, we speak of his boldness, and about how many were saved. What I have never heard was the fact that Peter's first sermon not only was one of invitation to accept Jesus as Savior, but was also a grave warning that one day Jesus will return to judge. When he spoke of "the day of the Lord", he spoke of a time when Jesus was not coming as One who would seek and save, but One who will come in judgment; and because the remnant of Israel will see God's judgment poured out on the earth, that remnant will finally call upon Jesus as their Messiah. The Prophets Zechariah, Jeremiah, and others clearly prophecied about this, including the Apostle Paul. For us today, the day of salvation is today. The fact that we are seeing prophecy unfold before our very eyes, today, should motivate us to do all we can to share the Gospel message with family, friends, and anyone the Lord gives us opportunity to speak to. The Lord could return for His church at any moment. The rapture, or taking up, of the church could take place today, tomorrow, and in the blink of an eye. Who do we know that would potentially be left behind to endure the horrible things that will take place during the Tribulation period to come? If you have not put your trust in Jesus for salvation, do not wait! The time is now! If you have, what are you waiting for to tell those around you? Know this...the Day of the Lord is coming...soon!

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).