The Tribune

By MINISTER KEITH EVANS

It is high time we take off the mask of religion and hypocrisy within our churches. It is very easy to fake Christianity in front of congregants, and not be genuinely saved. We are very good in acting the part, but fail miserably in living the truth of God’s Word.

It’s time to unmask the fakers and to come wholeheartedly before the throne room of God, in true repentance for deliverance. Claiming Christianity while living a rudderless life that is diametrically opposed to Christ is tedious. It is hard to keep up the facade and masquerade for so long, isn’t it? It is a lifestyle that is reprehensible in the eyes of the holy God who requires truth in man.

Psalm 51:6 says: “Behold, thou desires truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me know wisdom.” God desires integrity in all of His children. The root word for “integrity” comes from the Latin word “integer”, meaning”whole” – the core of man’s heart, or the deep resources of the soul of man. The ulterior motives of the heart God sees, and God knows. We cannot play with sin and expect God’s blessings upon our lives and homes.

We must rid ourselves of this outer layer that is faking Christianity, and be real with ourselves and with God. Someone once said that you can lie to everyone else, but don’t lie to yourself. Come clean in true repentance! Today, in the Bahamas we are too cheeky and arrogant with what we’ve become. We have churches popping up on every corner, but the land is still filled with wickedness and evil. A people playing church on Sundays, while gambling, fornicating, lying, welching and cussing between Sundays. It’s time to repent!

Matthew 15:7-9: “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias (Isaiah) prophesy of you, saying, this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.”

The Church here in the Bahamas is drastically different from days gone by. While I’m not insinuating that all is lost, you have to admit that we are flirting with a carnal Church! Can I tell you that many of us out here are preaching a gospel of love, but fail to show love to our fellow man. How many preach forgiveness, but literally hate someone for an act that happened years ago? We don’t need an experience. We need an encounter with God. We need a revival of love!

Unmasked and naked before a holy God is what we need to be. Building a house that is open to true fellowship and integrity is what we need.

• For questions and comments, e-mail keithevans242@gmail.com or kenazevans242@gmail.com.