Given August 12, 2016

Last week, during my morning devotion time, a phrase suddenly came into my mind, “Be true to the view”.  I’d been thinking about the
people I’ve known and associated with over the years and recalled a comment someone made once about me saying, “He’s a good Christian man.”  I remember at the time thinking about the view this person had of me in the workplace and how it differed somewhat from the view I had of myself.  So I thought, many people, if not all of us, are viewed a certain way in public but are in varying degrees different in private.  The phrase resonated inside me again, “Be true to the view”.  God was reminding me to work on having the view that others have of me to be equal to how I really am; to take that view of the “good Christian man” and have that be true always.  We all know there are times when we do not present ourselves as we would like to be seen, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23), but we should be striving to be a single-minded person, (See James 1: 6-8).  One of the things I say each morning as I pray is this: “Lord today, may everything I think, say, do, feel and show be pleasing to You.”  As a Christian, if others have a Godly view of us, that’s what we should strive to show always.  And, if we think the ungodly things in our lives are hidden, they may be to others but God is always right there, in the form of the Holy Spirit, and sees it all.  “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)  Be true to the view.

I heard a preacher speaking about the chief priests, Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ time and how they wore fancy robes, made offerings and presented themselves as good, godly men before the people.  But when they got home and took off their godly adornments, their family saw what was really under their robes, suggesting that they were not always, “true to the view”, of what they wanted others to see.  It’s very important to present ourselves in public as a good representative of Jesus Christ; it’s a good testimony of our faith and commitment.

But remember, Jesus sees all and He loves us and wants the best for us.  That’s where confession, repentance and forgiveness come in.  We know when we’ve sinned and should always ask for forgiveness so we can stand before God without spot or wrinkle, “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,” (Jude 1:24).

So, as we go about our daily activities among God’s people let’s show them what Jesus looks and acts like and then maintain that view until we lay our head down to rest at night.  Be true to the view.