A good friend of mine was telling a story about being on the golf course with some friends. Another group of guys were playing near them. They had the nicest clothes and brand new sets of very expensive clubs. His friend says that this group of guys must be really good. “Just look at those clubs,” he said. Well, those guys tried to tee off and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Over and over they tried, but ended up playing a horrible round of golf. My friend said, “It goes to show that shiny new clubs don’t make you a good golfer.”

That’s a hard reality for many people, especially in Christianity. You may come to church dressed in your Sunday best, have a beautiful new Bible, maybe wearing a brilliant gold cross around your neck, but that doesn’t mean you are friends with Jesus or living the Christian life. Looking the part and acting the part are two different things. Jesus himself said in Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”

Don’t be ‘that guy.’ The person who has the best of everything, but inside is as misled ever. Too many people are lost and in pain on the inside. They think that it only takes them looking the part rather than putting in the time to actually come to know Jesus. Think again. A Christian is one who is a Christian on the inside as well as the outside.

You can’t sneak your way into Heaven. A big cross on your neck and a nice fish emblem on your car isn’t going to do it. It’s not works that will save your soul, it’s acceptance of Jesus and His finished work on the cross. After you accept that, it will open the door to you having that personal relationship with our Heavenly Father that He created you for.

When you absolutely love a sport, you learn all you can about it. You don’t just watch it happen without being involved in some way. Having a fancy set of clubs doesn’t make you a golfer. The more time you put in on the course, the better you will be. Same thing goes for being close to our Savior. I love the quote that says, “Coming to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. “ You need to do something. Take that step to believe and accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you’ve done that, then take another step towards Him. And another. Before long, He will be right by your side, helping you in your everyday life. You will see advantages given to you, blessings abounding in your years, and prosperity filling your life.

DH