Spiritual X-Ray Vision - Let's See Through the Facade and Get Real

I don't know if you're old enough to remember when comic books had advertisements in the back for all sorts of cheap and useless things.  There were "Sea Monkeys", nightcrawler farms, and plans to build a hovercraft.  But the one thing that seemed too good to be true were the glasses that could see through things. I think when I was eight or nine my buddy Steve and I sent away for a pair and of course when they came in the mail and we slipped them on, we couldn't see through a piece of Kleenex let alone a wall.  Oh well, we were out $2.00 plus shipping and handling because we splurged on the De Luxe Model but we learned a lesson about false advertising.  What if they were real and we could see through all the facades we put on in life and especially the ones we put on when we walk into church on Sunday.  If those glasses really worked we could pass them out at the door when people walked in.  Imagine the scene:

Bart:   "Hey Bob! How are you today?"

Bob:    "Great!  Life is good!  Praise God!"  

Bart secretly puts on his see-through glasses" and sees Bob's guilt and addiction to pornography.

Bart:   "Hey Bob, why don't we grab a cup of coffee sometime. I want to tell you my story and how God has brought me out of the pit.  I'm not sure but I think we guys need to stick together!"

Scene 2

Sherri:  "Tina, I ran into Steve at the mall.  He seems like such a wonderful man.  You are so blessed!"

Tina:    "Oh yes, he is.  What a wonderful man! Alleluia and Amen!  Blessed be the name of the Lord"

Sherri slips behind the Advent Wreath and puts on her super secret see-through glasses and sees the emotional and physical pain that Tina is hiding from the mental and physical abuse she is receiving from her alcoholic husband.

Tina:   "Sherri, you know I've been wanting to invite you to join us.  We have a small group that meets at my home once a week to talk about our struggles and get into the Word.  I have been so blessed by this group of woman and we have found a safe place to share some really difficult stuff.  We'd love to have you join us!"

OK, I know that we won't likely walk into church on Sunday and blurt out all of our garbage and share all of our hidden sins but if we don't start getting real we will continue to see people die both spiritually and physically. We need to not be afraid to broach the really hard topics so that sin can be revealed, repentance begun, and real healing happen.  I know because I've been there.  I know because I know people who are there now.  I know because I see the real deal on Facebook, at the ball field, and in the news.  I see the Barna Studies that show the disconnect between what people profess and what they live out.  It's time to stop playing church and to start being the church!  

Pornography

Adultery

Drug Addiction

Sexual Abuse

Financial Struggles

Etc.

Etc.

Etc.

We need to address the sin inside the church so we can help people break free.  We need to help people break free of their sin but also from the bondage of sins committed against them.  This is not done in self righteousness but in humility, in transparency, and in the love of Christ.  Jesus said "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  He said in Mark Chapter 2 "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners."  If we are all good and doing well then I guess we have no need for Jesus but we all know better.  We need him because we are broken and lost and in need of a Savior.  We need him to change us from the inside out.  We need him to lift us out of the pit and place our feet on solid ground.  We need him to free us from pride, lust, selfishness, idolatry, and every other sin that separates us from God.

So what does that look like?  I think it looks like those who are in positions of leadership within the church unashamedly getting into things that may be hard to hear and may not be popular.  Jesus said he was the way and the truth and the life. As far as I can tell, the truth isn't always easy but it's always the best.  

I want to leave you with some words from the Apostle Peter:

1 Peter 4

Living for God

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. . .The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Unashamed truth but salted with prayer, love, grace, self-control, and in the power of Christ!

I think this is a good start!

Peace, David