Do you remember the phrase, "Get real"? I remember it from my school days. Get real. I believe the Spirit of God is telling His church to "Get real". Here in America, where the entertainment industry has such a powerful influence on our culture, we can easily find ourselves putting on a show. From an early age we learn how to act the part we are playing. I am afraid for many that includes their Christian walk. We go to church on Sunday and put on our Sunday best. We know our lines and we deliver them with excellence. But when we leave that building have we left Jesus behind?

Does your co-worker see the same John that the Preacher saw on Sunday? Does your neighbor know the same Sally that sang and danced before the Lord during service? It is time to ask which is the real you. Is it the one praying and praising on Sunday? Or is it the one cursing at traffic Monday morning? Being real in the Lord is being consistent in your walk. There are a multitude of ways that we can demonstrate that God is real in our lives daily. That is what we have been commissioned to do. To be His witnesses in this world. That is not a role that you put on and take off at leisure. Our behavior is a reflection of our walk with the Lord. For we know that if we live by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in our lives. The evidence will be a life that demonstrates; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Ask yourself honestly, are these reflected in your daily life?

We should be quick to pray wherever we are, not just in Christian settings. Giving shouldn't just take place Sunday morning with a tithe check in the offering, but all through our week as we see others in need (and not only when its tax deductible). Is there an elderly neighbor you could visit with flowers? A weary, young mother you could bring a meal to?

Serving is one way we show the world who Jesus really is. Jesus himself said, "I have not come to be served but to serve." He is our example. So who have you served lately? Do you serve your husband? Your wife? Your children or parents? .

The world is searching for something that is real. For real hope. For a real god. Is Jesus for real? How will they know? Can they know from watching you? Or is it just something you do on Sunday? Lifestyle Evangelism. Living your life as a real example of the Gospel. Being available to God all the time. Seizing opportunities to share the love of God with the world around you. Spending your time, talent, abilities and money to build the kingdom of God. You don't have to go to China or Africa to be a missionary. You can be one right where you are. At your workplace, school, neighborhood. Anywhere that God has placed you and everywhere that you travel you are His witness. But understand, whether you want to be or not, if you have given your life to Jesus, you are a witness for Christ. The question is will it help bring people to God or keep them from believing He is real?

The days are growing short and the time for Christ's return is nearer than when we first believed. It is time to "Get real". Honesty, as Billy Joel sang of several years ago, is so hard to find. Throw off the shackles of pretentiousness. A transparent life will reveal Jesus as Lord of your life. Unless, of course, that isn't true. It is time for the truth to be apparent.

I heard a story once that illustrates this point. Once there was a church meeting in a hostile country when suddenly the doors burst open and men with machine guns and military dress rushed in. They said, "If you are willing to save you own life, renounce this Jesus Christ and you may leave now". With that, many of the congregation left the room. When the last one had left the room, the gunmen locked the doors, turned to the remaining group, took off their masks and said, "Now that we know who the real believers are, let's have church." I don't know if the events in this story have ever really taken place, but the point is excellent.

Jesus also used a parable to describe what we see today. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared." The servants noticed the weeds also growing and told the farmer. The farmer said not to remove the weeds, for removing them may damage the wheat also, but instead let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time first the weeds will be collected to be burned and the wheat will be taken to the barn. Jesus explained this parable this way, "The one who sowed the seed was the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands fo the sons of the kingdom (true believers). The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels."

"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil..."(Matt 13:37-41)

Would the real church of Jesus Christ please stand up? If you have surrendered you life to the Lord, live like it. You will make mistakes and sometimes look foolish. We all do, but let's be real. Let the world see who Jesus really is. "...let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:16).

In all we do, I pray that our light would shine before the world that they may see Jesus in us and know that He is real. May you walk in His grace. Thy kingdom come!

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