Internet dating can be a risky business. In the virtual world of computers, anything is possible. A bald pate? Draw in a little hair. Love handles? There is an eraser tool. And what about those speeding tickets we never paid?
A few taps on the keys, and we are perfect in every way.
However, there is one drawback to Internet dating. Eventually we have to meet the person. When we step through that door, we can’t hide the real us any longer. The light shines on our scalp, our shirt is not quite loose enough, and as the cab drives away, we are certain everyone knows why we don’t have a car.
The truth of who we are has to eventually come out, and then we are judged for who we really are.
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were the same. They were Internet dating with the people. They postured for the best effect, walking in long robes, and greeting others in the markets. They commanded the highest seats in the synagogues and demanded the chief rooms at feasts. They wanted people to see them as they wished to be, not as they really were.
In Luke 20:47 the truth of who they really were comes out.
Luke condemns the Pharisees, because in all their posturing, they preyed on widows with long prayers designed for no other reason than to get their money. Luke says they would receive the worst kind of hell for their shallowness and deception.
Are we Internet dating with our Christian brothers? Here are three ways we can know if we are:
Way #1 – We show up at church and raise our hands in praise, yet we fight with our spouse on the drive home.
Way #2 – We don’t invite church members to our cookouts, because they might be offended at the language of our friends.
Way #3 – We greet the pastor warmly after church, yet he is our punching bag all week long.
When we can strip away the pretense, and we still look like Christ, then we are truly who he wants us to be.
We need to show our real face to those around us, and it needs to reflect the love of Christ.
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