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The Real You!

Where are you REALLY the real you? Metaphorically speaking, we

all tend to wear masks. We prefer to hide behind things.

Why do we hide? We’re not unlike Adam who hid from God because

he was naked. Remember God’s question when Adam was discovered

hiding (as if God didn’t know where he was)? The Lord asked, “Who

told you that you were naked?”

We hide behind shyness. We hide behind our talents. We even hide

behind our spiritual gifts. We hide behind public persona. We even have

alter egos. Most of us are faking it somewhere. I liked what I heard the

late Ruth Graham say about her husband, Billy. She said he was the same

in the pulpit or out of it.

Why are we hiding? It’s because someone told us, in essence, that we

were naked, too. No, not literally naked, but just like Adam, we have

a fear of being exposed; of being seen as we really are. Whether we’re

involved in some sort of blatant sin, or have character weaknesses,

some of which could “blow our cover” and ruin a reputation or maybe

even someone’s career, the truth is, God isn’t mad at you. NOTHING

will EVER separate us from His love! (Rom 8:39)

EXCUSE ME…BUT YOU’RE NAKED.

So, who told YOU that you were naked and that you didn’t measure-up

as you are? The same deceiver that lied to Eve in the garden, that’s

who. Throughout the Christian world, men and women are wearing

masks in an effort to camouflage who we really are when we’re alone -

even when we’re alone with our thoughts. Some may even believe that

we’re hiding ourselves from God, hiding behind our good deeds or

church service duties. Perhaps it’s the title one has attained in the

church and the spirituality they reflect in front of the deceived masses

that’s being used for cover. Maybe it’s a singing or even a preaching

gift that has someone thinking, “Surely God must approve of me for

doing this.”

Yes, God approves…DESPITE our use of the gifts He has bestowed

upon us. He approves because, when He sees YOU, He sees Jesus,

(2 Cor 5:20-21).   When my kids were young and deserved their

daddy’s praise for a good grade, for looking nice, for playing a great

game, etc., I was prone to saying something like, “You look beautiful…

but I love you ANYWAY!” I wanted them to know that, not only was

their approval not the result of their good performance or good looks,

but neither did their failures define who they were. This was counter

to the culture and I could almost hear the wheels come to a screeching

halt as their mind went “TILT” for a moment.

I knew a Korean Christian woman whose sons were excellent students

at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. She told me that she never

asked them how their grades were. The reason they were allowed by

God to be there, she said, was to promote God’s Kingdom within their

realm of influence. By the way, they made the Dean’s List every time.

I was the first one to walk out of a theatre one day in another city. There,

standing by the curb, was a man from my hometown who served as a

Deacon in a local church, puffing on a cigarette. I shouted my greeting

from the theatre door and he nearly swallowed his cigarette. The sad

thing is, here was a man who truly did love God and was known for

doing many good things throughout the community. “Man looks at the

outside but God looks at the heart,” 1 Sam 16:7 reminds us. I’d prefer

he didn’t smoke because it’s killing him and it stinks, but I sure didn’t

judge him or think any less of him because of it (I could always smell

it on him anyway so I was Not surprised). Of this I am certain:

Nobody judged the man as hard as HE was judging himself.

GOD ISN’T MAD AT YOU!

No, God isn’t mad at you. These magical words have resulted in tears

welling up in many eyes throughout my ministry. The enemy of our souls

(mind, will and emotions) has done a masterful job of causing us to

believe the lie that we will never make the grade where God is

concerned. Friends, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ,

(Rom 8:1-4). Where there is no law, there is no sin – at least none that

hasn’t already been paid for by the Blood of Christ. Sure, there are still

consequences for sinning. This reminds me of a friend who lives out in

the desert. He doesn’t have city streets running to his house; he has an

airplane runway. On that strip, I could drive as fast as I wanted for, out

in the desert, there were no rules governing me (Law). However, a

blow-out could have hurt or killed me or my wife (Consequences).

Galatians 6:7 declares, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for

whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” We are under grace, no

longer under the Law. But grace doesn’t give us a license to sin.

Problem is, as long as we walk about in these earth suits, we’re

GOING to sin, no matter how hard we try NOT to.

Despite this truth, like the imperfect Prodigal Son, the Father desires

nothing but to love you, warts and all. He simply desires to build His

Kingdom with you. Even those who have committed sins that have

ruined them and were exposed on a nationally televised level, God

STILL desires to use His people. They sinned and have reaped as

they’ve sown. So, what? Is anybody praying for them, or have we

Christians, famous for “shooting our wounded,” shot another one?

TO ARMS, WOUNDED WARRIORS!

There’s much work to do. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but there’s a

war going on. Not just the War on Terrorism, the War on Drugs, etc.

These are merely reflections of the spiritual warfare going on all

around us. It’s a warfare that requires the participation of God’s

co-laborers on Earth, The Church Sadly, too many of us are lying

wounded in hospital beds and triage centers while the battle rages

outside.

It’s time to arise! Get up off that bed and take up your sword and

shield and join the Revolution! Put on your armor and storm the gates

of Hell with us! Truth is, I’m at the point where I don’t trust a

comrade that isn’t marching alongside me out-of-step… and with a

limp at that!

There is a King. He has a Kingdom. He wants you in it TODAY. He

wants to provide for you there. And He wants to advance this Kingdom

with His family of warriors. This is the Gospel – the Good News of the

Kingdom that Jesus preached and taught His disciples. We must do

likewise.

Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
A servant of God
www.YourTown4Jesus.com