OSCAR WINNER?

March 8, 2006

Take a look at why you don't want to be recognized for your acting ability.

THINK ABOUT IT

US actress Reese Witherspoon accepts her best actress Oscar during the 78th Academy Awards the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California. Witherspoon won the award for her role in "Walk the Line"(AFP/Timothy A. Clary)

photo courtesy news.yahoo.com & AFP, 03/06/06

TAKE A LOOK

Matthew 23:25-28 - (NLT)

²⁵"How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and self-indulgence! ²⁶Blind Pharisees! First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too. ²⁷"How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. ²⁸You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

IN TODAY'S SCRIPTURE, WHAT WAS JESUS CONDEMNING?

You might say that Jesus did not like actors! Now don't misunderstand. Look at the following definition:

HYPOCRISY, HYPOCRITE(S) acting a part in a play; pretense of piety; pretender; false or godless; feigning to be what one is not

Jesus loved stories. He was the greatest story teller ever! But, Jesus condemned anyone who made a habit out of acting like they were Godly on the outside, but were full of corruption, selfishnessess and worldliness on the inside.

He used the illustration of a cup. If you and I are living our Christian faith only as a show for others, we're like a new clean mug on the outside while the inside is full of a lifetime of Starbuck's stains.

We need His forgiveness to get cleaned up on the inside. Then our faith in Christ will be genuine.

Reese Witherspoon won an award for acting in "Walk The Line". Jesus will not give us any awards for acting, but He will give us Heavenly rewards for walking the line of living a holy life in a sinful world.

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank God for giving us His Holy Word. Thank Him for the practical teaching that the words of Jesus provide you. Take a couple of minutes to let His Holy Spirit point out to you any ways in which you have be guilty of "acting" like you are a sincere follower of Jesus, while there is sin inside your heart and mind that need God's forgiveness. Right now, admit them to God and thank Him that the blood that Jesus shed on His cross will forgive you completely! Ask His Spirit to help you be devoted to Christ, both inwardly and outwardly, every day.

TRY IT

Every day this week, pray for the strength to live as a genuine follower of Jesus, not a religious actor (hypocrite).
Write in your journal a list of ways you tend to be a hypocrite some times. Review it regularly to let God's Spirit remind you to be real.
Whenever you watch a movie, let it be a reminder to never be an "actor" in your faith. Remember, it's not about religion - it's a relationship with Jesus!

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.