As Real As It Gets

We've been talking about what it means to "Get Real" at Bellwood. Webster's defines real as: not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory : genuine such as "real gold". Jewelers say that there is a way to test and see if gold is real or not. This is done by putting a small scratch on the item in an inconspicuous place using a nail file. Place a drop of nitric acid on the scratch. If the area experiences no reaction, the item is made from real gold. If the area turns green, the item is not real gold. There is such a thing as "fool's gold" which of course, under this kind of test, would prove to be fraudulent.

I'm convinced that many of us try to portray the image of being a Christ follower (real gold) but in reality we are simply fools. This is what Jesus is saying in Luke 14:29 (NIV) "For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him." If we claim to be a follower of His, we need to recognize there is a price to pay; unlike this man who was a fool.

Jesus already laid the foundation that we are to build on. Part of that foundation was His "being real". He was never artificial or fake. He was filled with joy (Luke 10:21), He shed tears (Luke 19:41), He grieved (Mark 14:34), He was angry (Mark 3:5), He felt compassion (Luke 7:13), He felt distress (Luke 12:50). Jesus was as real as it gets. We can celebrate our humanity and build on His foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (NLT) says, "For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value".

Some of us are using materials that will not be able to withstand the fire, but "real gold" is purified in the fire. God will allow us to be tested in order to refine our character. Hopefully, we won't be found to be fraudulent.

I know it can be scary to get real with God, others and yourself, but I would rather take the risk of looking like a fool to others, than to actually be called a fool by God for being a fake and not counting the cost.