GONE REAL

(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)

Are we fake? This is the question that I discussed with my Bible Study group last week.

I think that in the American Church we have wrongly tried to make ourselves look like something we are not. We try to appear perfect.

If I am honest with you, I think that is the second most crucial reason people are leaving the Church and the reason church buildings are being closed all across the country. The first reason being, in my opinion, we have lost the true Jesus and His Word along the way and come up with our own version of “the gospel”.

I was watching a conference online a couple weeks ago. It was focused on the topic of the future of the Church. One of the speakers, named Noah Herrin, said this, “We have given people words when they have wanted to see wounds, and sermons when they have wanted to see scars.”

I hope to never forget that quote. Maybe I am just crazy, but there is not one story in the Bible that gives us the impression that Jesus was trying to appear perfect to people. Right?

2 Corinthians 8:8 says, “I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.”

Our love is supposed to be genuine because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. Not fake and perfect.

People want to see something real. I mean, when you look around at our world today, almost everything is fake in some way. Jesus was real, and I think that’s why people were willing to give up their entire lives to follow Him. So why don’t we copy His example and see if it works?

I want to be a gone real Christian. I want people to see my scars and my wounds. To actually show them what Jesus has really done for me instead of just being quiet and ashamed. Jesus was a gone real Christian and it worked. Guys, we can’t just keep wondering what kind of flyers will catch people’s attention or what new program will get people in our doors.

That stuff is not working anymore.

I was in Tennessee about a week ago, and the pastor’s wife invited me to speak to the youth during their Sunday School hour. I went in with the intention to let them see my wounds and my scars.

To make a long story short, I shared with them how making Jesus #1 in my life has changed the way I see Jesus and the things that He calls me to do. I now want to serve Him in every way that I can. It’s not an “I have to” thing, it’s an “I can’t wait to” thing!

I shared with them that I’m not perfect, and I shared the things I struggle with. Guess what the result was? Every single one of those teens showed up later that afternoon to participate in our outreach. They went out into their community to pray with people and to share the Gospel with random strangers.

I didn’t have to bribe them to come with pizza. I didn’t have to say that there would be some reward for coming. I just followed Jesus’ example of what He did with people and let His Spirit work. All of them showed up. Thank you Jesus!

Luke 6:46 says, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” I’m guilty of this y’all. I show up and try to do things in my own power even though I ask Jesus to help me. Truth is, there have been a lot of times where He tells me to do something when I ask Him to lead me, but then I decide to just run solo instead.

We need some gone real Christians. People who aren’t afraid to show others what Jesus has saved them from, and what He can save them to.

I want to be one of them. Will you join me?

“An experience of God that costs nothing, does nothing, and is worth nothing.” (Leonard Ravenhill)  

SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= What has Jesus saved you from?

= Why do you think we aren’t real with people most of the time?

= What are you going to do differently?