Sincerity or Pretence
January 22, 2024The closing verse of the book of Ephesians is a very powerful and convicting verse. Ephesians 6:24 says “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, Amen.” We experience God’s grace in life when we love him in sincerity not in pretence. My question for you is, is your love for Jesus Christ sincere? Do you truly love the Lord your God will all your heart, soul and mind? Or do you just pretend to love Him and continue to live your life as you see fit?
Isaiah 29:13 describes the condition of Jerusalem’s heart. It shows the truth of their love for their God. It says “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” Christ quotes this passage when describing the condition of the Pharisees hearts in Matthew 15:7-9, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Our desire should be to love the Lord as Joshua described in Joshua 24:24a “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth…” Are you loving and serving the Lord in sincerity or in pretence? If you want to experience the fullness of God’s grace in your life then you must love and serve Him in sincerity. If you go to church on Sunday and sing praise to Him and then go back to work on Monday and cuss and tell dirty jokes that’s not serving in sincerity that’s serving in pretence. If you say you love God and yet crack open a beer can or a wine cooler that’s serving in pretence. If you sing “Oh, how I love Jesus” and view pornograhic sites on your computer in your spare time alone that’s serving in pretence.
“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” How is your love for Jesus Christ? Is it sincere or is it for pretend? My hope is that you as Joshua said, “serve him in sincerity and in truth.” Thank you once again for reading this, may the Lord richly bless you.
Posted by Patrick Neiswinger.
