Honest Act


Mat 6:2  "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to 

	yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure--'playactors' I call them-

	treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting 

	compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They 

	get applause, true, but that's all they get. 



	Some of the most admired and respected people in our society are those who 

are great at presenting themselves as someone other than who they really are. 

Their ability to successfully portray a certain character has brought them 

incredible wealth, and given them a platform to communicate their beliefs in 

various subjects such as religion and politics. In depicting the life of this 

person, they can inspire and envision those that watch to emulate and adjust 

their own lifestyle to be like the character of the story. Those that are most 

successful at this are the ones who can take on many different characters and 

make you believe that this is their true accent and way of life and demeanor. 

Even though they may not really have the skills to play an instrument, compete 

in a sport, or be the hero in a heated military battle, you may be convinced 

they really do by the end of the movie or play. It is so interesting to watch a 

documentary or talk show, though, where one of these actors is observed in a 

setting apart from the scripted scene. To find out what they are really like can 

either confirm established assumptions or be a bit disappointing as they are 

really someone else altogether. 


	It is very possible for anyone and everyone to join the ranks of those 

that would appear to be another. All it takes is learning a few things about the 

talk and the walk of the desired portrayal. Not only is it possible, but I 

believe it is very probably true in everyone to some extent. There is a 

completely different way to talk and act around different persons in life. 

Around the boss and fellow employees there may be language and reactions shown 

that are completely different from those depicted at home or church. Inate in 

everyone is an ability to discover the particular traits of a person they might 

need to be in a certain situation and take them on to some extent. There are 

certain people in our lives, however,  that are not effected by any moment's 

character of choice. They know us for who we really are and will not be 

influenced in any way by our acting. They've been just too close and have, in 

their nearness, discovered our true nature. For them we might as well just be 

ourselves and not try to take on another role. 


	There is a way to talk and walk and live life in Christ. This way can be 

observed in others and it can be studied in books. In acquiring this knowledge 

there may be an attempt to be the person we think we're supposed to be by just 

performing according to what we've learned. We actually may gain a degree of 

success with this and get recognition in awards and applause, but with certain 

people in our lives, there is only one person that will really be known, our 

true self. We may convince all the rest of the world that we're this wonderful 

person, but God and those close to us will only see the real person hiding 

behind the facade.  


	This "real" person of our true inner nature doesn't have to be all that 

bad, though. While it is possible to put on a front, it is also possible that, 

as Christ is increasingly formed in us, we can honestly take on the role of the 

righteous person and portray an inward reality rather than just an outward 

deception. Our walk and talk can be directed not just by observing others, but 

by the true nature of our heart. Abiding in the presence of the Holy One and 

meditating on His Word, our heart is given His nature and our true character 

becomes more and more like His. Our actions become an honest portrayal of a 

transformed life. We can lose altogether the need to be anything other than this 

righteous person we've become in Christ. We no longer have to pretend to be 

anything; we can just relax and enjoy being the person we truly are in Him. Our 

occupation can then be consumed with knowing Him and savoring His presence 

alone, just trusting Him with the drama of our actions. He will then most 

certainly be able to achieve His true purpose in our lives as we portray His 

very nature to the world around us. 





5/16/04