Imposters vs. Imitators

I’m reading a book that I’m really enjoying, The Art Forger. I rescued it from the floor of my friend’s car as it was on its way to be given to a stranger. I’m glad I eyed it! It’s really fascinating—learning the process of copying a master like Rembrandt or Degas. It takes a lot of layering paint and chemicals to make it look old and have craquelure, the cracks when a painting ages. Of course, the artist needs to be a master in their own right with a critical eye and artistic talent.

The book got me thinking about imposters, I heard a sermon on the Bridge radio by Lloyd Pulley on this topic, which coupled with the book, started this train of thought. He warned his listeners that a number of good, Christian like imposters are out there, people on the outside who appear to be Christian but inside are not. It can be very difficult to know who is or isn’t one. Though it’s not our job to root them out and be suspicious of everyone, it is important to be aware. Christ warns us to be “as wise as serpents, but innocent as doves.”

So, who are the imposters in our lives? Herein lies the problem because like the art forger, there are some who are very good at faking their Christianity, some who are even in ministry. I think that as we stay close to Jesus, pray and read the Word daily, we will begin to see how forgers just don’t fit in exactly with what the scripture reveals as a whole, not just one verse. Of course, there’s plenty of examples of those who blatantly defy the Word of God, but it’s the ones that are really good fakes that we need to watch out for; those who promise us just a little too much prosperity, success in everything we do and miracles every day. All of these issues in balance are not bad, but when the focus is on this and not Jesus, we should be wise and shy away. Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling or a “cringe” as I call it when I hear something not quite on par with the truth of God’s Word. If we seek to be imitators of Christ and not someone else, the Holy Spirit will show us the imposters. Sometimes, we fit into that category as well. I personally don’t look too much like a Christian when a company rips me off. I tend not to be very godly in my reactions, but we’re working on that, especially at this time of year.

Lent is an opportune season to seek God's presence,reflect on being an imitator of Christ and allow His transforming power to change us.  My new favorite verse, one I use to shy away from is “Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxieties and see if there be any hurtful way in me” (Psalm 139:23). The New King James version interprets hurtful as offensive. It takes on a deeper meaning with that word, offensive. I know I have my own sins that don’t affect others that much, such as jealousy. I’m not jealous of people with money, houses, dream jobs, horses, which I love, or boats, but when I hear of a new Christian author becoming successful, I get jealous. I know it’s weird, but I guess I’m a little like the Pharisees who were jealous when they saw how the crowds loved Jesus. I really need the Lord to change that! Yet that’s not all I need God to change. I need to take a good look at my offensive ways, like perhaps talking too much in a group. I’ve been trying to catch myself on that one and let others take the lead, but once again I can’t do that alone. I also don’t beat myself up. I know I need to totally rely on Jesus!

So what finetuning might be in order?  What area might need the touch of the Master’s Hand, so that your life speaks truth and love like a real Christian. Though I’m not talking about perfection, but of a holiness that stems from our relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bibles encourage us "You shall be holy, for the Lord your God is holy," (Leviticus 19:2) a holiness found when we allow the Master creator to paint on the canvas of our lives!