“Imposters and Pretenders”

     A place exists deep in the heart of every human being that cannot be fulfilled by money, possession, place, career, hobby, entertainment, friend or family.

    “He is thy life” (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    The history of humanity, from the first man until the present moment, chronicles the sad attempt by Adam’s offspring to fill the holy place of our spirits with something or someone other than the Lord Jesus Christ.  Futility, frustration and fear ensue, with the ultimate end too often resulting in a life wasted, and an eternity of separation from the sublime and singular One for whom God made our hearts: “To live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).

     Born again believers believe and affirm the truth of Christ as the rightful proprietor and fulfillment of our hearts.  However, we also acknowledge the ongoing temptation to pursue imposters and pretenders to our heart’s throne.  The Apostle John, recognizing this fleshly tendency, closes his first epistle, written to believers, with the admonition, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (I John 5:21).  Wise is the Christian who reads into John’s command the implicit message that we will continually face the challenge of the imposter and pretender as long we live in world filled with them.

     Wise also is the believer who often asks his Lord to frequently examine the throne, as it were, ensuring that Christ dwells thereupon as the sole occupant of the most holy place within us.  Our Heavenly Father will faithfully respond, whether in confirmation or correction, and we will grow in the awareness that only One can fill and fulfill us.  Or, as Frances often says, “having Him, we have all.”

“Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

(I Corinthians 1:30-31)