JANUARY 9 Malachi 1:6-8
 

God told Israel that they had given Him their second best. The more worrying thing is that they appeared to be doing the right things, such as bringing animals to the Lord and going through the motion of making offerings. Are you guilty of this as well – appearing to be holy, but deep down inside, you are not willing to please God? Most of us go to church, dress up nicely for it, attend Sunday school classes and give thanks before meals. Yet, deep down inside, we may feel unwilling to do these things.

Do you go to church unwillingly, or unhappily, because your parents make you tag along with them? When you are in church, do you behave in a way different from your real self? Are you a Christian only on Sunday mornings, but when others see you outside church or on other days, you are back to your true self? If you answer “Yes” to even one of these questions, be very afraid! “Afraid of what?” you may ask. Afraid that you are a hypocrite. What is a hypocrite? A hypocrite is a person who pretends to be what he is not. God will not want us to be a hypocrite. He wants us to go to Him in a sincere and willing way. If you have been pretending, or have been putting on a show to please parents, you really have to stop, think, and repent. That seems like a harsh thing to say but it is true – you will need to repent for being a hypocrite. Remember, although those around you cannot see deep inside you, God can. Come before the Lord and confess your sin of pretending to be a good Christian. What may be worse is that we may deceive ourselves into believing we are really Christians, when we are not even saved! Are you saved? This is a question that only you can answer. You can seek help from your parents, or your Sunday School teachers to make sure of your salvation. Dear child, this is the most important question of your life — make sure you know the answer!

Thought: Hypocrisy is pretending to be what you are not.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to examine myself and see that deep inside, I am a real Christian, and not pretending to be one. This is such an important thing so Heavenly Father, please help me to be serious and to pray as I examine my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.