Articles
Let's See Some ID!
Did you know… it is illegal to make a fake FBI badge? While I’m sure that deterred most readers from printing their own badges, I think it says something about how seriously the FBI views proper identification. In fact, many businesses require photo ID for each employee to enter the parking lot, building, or to access certain places inside their offices. It is not rare to see security guards at various entrances to check these and keep out those who would try to use fake identification.
Another did you know… God is extremely talented at spotting fakes. Look at passages like Matthew 23. Jesus pointed out the hypocrisies of the Pharisees and let them know exactly how shameful their lives were. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites!” There was no way their false self-identification would get past the eyes of the all-seeing God. In the Old Testament, we see more examples of how thoroughly God examines each person who would identify themselves as His followers. Verses like Jeremiah 10:17 where God says, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds,” and 1 Chronicles 28:9, which says, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” So here’s a question: When God examines your identity, what will He find?
Sometimes it is because of a worldly heart that Christians would claim to be more for God than they really are. But, there is more going on than just good folks/bad folks. We need to constantly be aware that Satan is trying to work us over. Whether we realize it or not, each of us place different parts of our lives into categories — we identify things based on their importance, usefulness, influence, etc. If you can imagine, Satan is always trying to slip things in under than “important” and “useful” category that are neither important nor useful! In fact, many things he slips in would fall more into the “distracting” and “desensitizing” categories. Let’s ask another question: How many items in your life are wearing fake IDs?
We’ve got to be alert and on guard. None of us can afford to let down our guard and assume that since we have always done a particular thing that we ought to keep doing it. Nor should we suppose that every fun or enjoyable or “normal” part of life is for our good. We need to live transparently before God, while at the same time thoroughly examining our own lives. When you take a look at your life, never be afraid to say, “Let’s see some ID!”
