The Paint Is Peeling

I am reminded of a purchase that I made as a young man. I bought a gold watch. Of which, I was very proud. It was the first piece of jewelry that I owned. This watch was an object of pride for me because of the fact that I purchased it myself. It was very eye-catching. It garnered much attention and won me many compliments. It sparkled in the light and looked really expensive. Every time I got dressed to go somewhere, I made sure that I did not leave the house without my watch. Not only did I like the way that it looked on my arm, but I also liked the attention it brought to me. Needless to say, the watch made me feel important and as valuable as it appeared to be. One day, while getting dressed to leave home, I noticed there was something different about my watch. As I drew it closer to examine it more carefully, I became disheartened by what I saw. The outer layer of gold had begun to fade, and there was an obvious discoloration in certain places on the watch. The more I looked, the more spots I found. I couldn't understand what was happening to my greatest possession. What would I do? The very next day, I went to the store where I purchased the watch, looking for an answer to my dilemma. I asked to see the manager and waited patiently, until he had a free moment to speak with me. In a deep, but pleasant sounding, voice, he asked, "Can I help you?" While pulling out the watch to show it to him, I eagerly explained my dilemma. I was so excited that I didn't give the manager a chance to respond. Before he could say a word, I cried out, "What's wrong? What's wrong with it? ?" He looked at me and said, "There's nothing wrong with it." By this time, almost shouting, I uttered, "How can you say there is nothing wrong with it? Look at these spots " The manager looked me square in the eye and simply said, "Son, the paint is peeling." In my bewilderment, I questioned, "Sir, what do you mean? What has happened to my gold watch?" "You get what you pay for." That was his reply to me. "The watch you purchased was only gold plated." I then asked what was "gold plated," and the manager explained to me that it meant there was only a thin, outer layer of gold on the watch, which covered a less expensive metal. He also told me that after a period of time such plating had a tendency to fade. Once this happened, it would reveal what was underneath. That experience taught me a very valuable life lesson. From that point forward, I have always focused on this fact: It's not what something looks like on the outside that gives it value, but the greater measure of its value is what's on the inside. As Believers, we must be careful that our Christianity is not a thin, outer layer, easily worn away to expose something less attractive and less valuable underneath. We must understand that time and circumstance will challenge the purity and quality of our relationship with God. Unfortunately, these two things reveal the fact that, metaphorically speaking, there are too many gold plated Believers. I believe you would agree with me, when I say, there are many times, in the life of a Believer, in which the conditions are far less than ideal. Yet, God still expects us to let the light of our Christianity shine. It is in these times that we are in the greatest position to be a witness for Christ, by taking a bold stance. We must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and not words alone, especially words which aren't followed by corresponding actions. It is my unpleasant duty to inform you that, as a whole, the Body of Christ is failing in this area. During the times when we are challenged, people see us failing to demonstrate godly principles as well as godly love. Figuratively speaking, they can see that the paint is peeling.