Does Anyone Really Know You?

In today's culture we hardly know people like we once did. At one time people lived in small little villages. They didn't have their personal iPods, their personal computers, their cars, etc. They were all stuck together. They would live for generations in an area. They'd work with each other, celebrate with each other, etc.

Am I saying this is necessarily better? Well I can see good aspects to it. But it's not as if it's a very viable model in the modern society of today. But moving on.

In the times that we live in today we don't necessarily even know the people who live in our own house. Do we really know what our friends listen to? What web pages do they browse? Who do they chat with? Where do they drive?

Here's my point. If you want to be close to people and let people know who you are, and to find out who they are, you have to be honest. You'll have to confess your sins "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." ~ James 5:16 


If you want to hide behind a mask, you can. You can go to church on Sunday. Go put on your best clothing. Put on your best attitude. Then you can come home and live like the devil. But ultimately, living like this will send you to hell. 


Be open about who you are. It's hard because we sin. We don't want to be open because we don't want to change. But what happens if we don't change? We will end up with the consequences, and they are much worse than repenting and turning away from that which is seen as evil in the sight of God. 


In order to grow to a point where people know who you are, you're going to have to spend time with them. Spend time with people in different contexts. Don't just hang out in fun places and enjoyable settings. Go spend some time ministering to people with others, serve the widow and the orphan, help fix your neighbors house, etc. And confess your sins. Be humble. Don't let your friends perceive you to be more than you really are.


I pray the Lord will make me less of an unrepentant hypocrite. And I hope he will work in you as well.