Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
(2Co 13:5-8)

It is much easier, and much more appealing to our humanity to portray the appearance of something rather than create the true. For instance it is much easier to portray substance, either in business or personally than it is to create real substance. It is often much easier to give the appearance of knowledge or skills than it is to actually develop such skill or acquire such knowledge.

We went to a minor league sports game the other day, and the arena was posh with expertly designed decorations, exciting displays of fireworks and flame as well as all sorts of themed accoutrements. Before the game began, the setting was truly awe inspiring and gave a sense of magnificence. Unfortunately, the teams took the field, and we all quickly discovered that the home team was amateurish. They were severely beaten, pounded, rather rubble-ized. It was embarrassing. The truth took about 30 seconds to be discovered on the playing field.

We all attempt to generate appearances on a personal basis. We all, either consciously or sub-consciously, want others to think about us in a certain way. What way is it that you try to fool people about yourself? Most of us want others to believe that we are of the highest moral integrity. We want others to think that we are productive and generous. We want people to admire our wealth generation abilities, or perhaps our self control. There are a myriad of ways that we try to keep up appearances, as the British comedy television show lampoons so well.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that we should pray to God that we would do no evil, not in order to keep up appearances but to be honest and live truthfully.

What is it that most children who are raised in the church and then leave say? They tired of the appearances, the hypocrites, the deception. We put on masks and become actors, but we don’t understand that everyone sees through it. It takes about 30 seconds of reality before everyone knows exactly who you are.

Roy Williams, the world’s leading advertising guru, says that my generation that the next want one thing…reality. We are disgusted with the hype, the flash, the perfect appearances. Give us reality. Maybe the church should listen. Glitz is out. Real is in.