Superficial

Being Christians makes us specimens under a microscope.

(1 Cor. 4:9 - For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. NIV)


If I may just repeat in bold letters, we have been made spectacle to the whole universe. (Imagine that? A SPECTACLE TO THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!) I guess that's primarily the reason why most of us wear church masks in front of people so as to define ourselves with the rest. After all, people watch every move, every word, every reaction. Christians are expected to behave in a very crucial godly way.

1. We go to church. Of course it's a must.
2. We pray. Oh, how we close our eyes and bow our heads with everyone else in earnest prayer!
3. We guard our tongues. We can't speak bad words! But what's going on in our head?
4. We say faith-filled words. God is my healer! God will provide! God has a plan for us, to prosper us and not to harm us! Music to the ears of many, eh?
   

When we say something, it does not necessarily follow that we believe in it a full 100%. Most often than not, people say something out loud not to express conviction but to convince themselves on its truth and validity.

I hear people in a deep mess saying these to encourage themselves. But sometimes we ought to ask, Do we really believe in what we're saying? Sometimes it gets too overrated that it loses its impact to change our lives. Some even say these bible-based encouragements and quote verses from the bible just to look spiritual, or to make themselves look holier than thou.

We can seem to be the "ideal Christians" and the entire universe may adore us on how we behave, but still, the genuineness of our hearts remain to be the main indicator of who we really are. Are we putting up a show? Are we just trying to fit in? Is our faith merely on a superficial level?

At the end of it all, it's only between us and God.