The Actor


Seeing the reenactment of a Civil War battle is a fascinating experience. If done well it is also very moving to the soul as one recalls the massive loss of life and the larger effect this particular war had on the entire nation.

A number of different things might come to mind when we hear the word hypocrite. Maybe it’s a politician caught in a scandal; maybe it’s a religious leader doing something counter to their creed; maybe it’s a scheming and conniving character featured in soap operas. But it’s likely that the one thing that doesn’t come to mind is the theater or actors.

The word hypocrite ultimately came into English from the Greek word hypokrites, which means “an actor” or “a stage player.” This Greek word took on an extended meaning to refer to any person who was wearing a figurative mask and pretending to be someone or something they were not.

Jesus had a lot to say about people who pretended to be religious but were instead just "wearing a mask" to disguise their true self.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27)

One of the biggest problems facing belief in Jesus nowadays is the realization by young people when people are authentic in their faith versus just faking it. When you say one thing and do another, then you are a hypocrite. If you are not the real deal and pretend to be then you are not only deceiving others but also yourself... and there are dire consequences for that.

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." (Matthew 23:13)

Do you really want to be responsible for keeping someone out of heaven? If not, then let your life by guided by the Holy Spirit and not by fleshly thoughts, desires or agendas. Don't take your own path in life but keep in step with God.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

Save the acting for movie stars, TV personalities and reenactment actors. Be the real deal for Jesus!


THE ACTOR
Civil War Reenactment
Hurricane Shoals, Maysville, GA

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