Façade

Posted on June 25, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed” — Romans 12:2a

Being a home improvement contractor for a number of years, I have engaged in many projects from a simple alteration to a major addition. Each encounter with a customer starts the same way, my question to them is “What are you looking to do?”

There are many ways to do a home improvement project, so first thing I try to do is determine the depth of quality the customer wants to visit. It can be like a menu – top entrée, middle of the board meal, or dollar menu. I’ve always tried to stay away from dollar menu endeavors. These are the ones that the customer wants to look good but isn’t concerned with the underlying issues that can prematurely cause problems, a “Façade” if you will. This is usually the case in a fixer upper for resale, make it look good on the outside to mislead a future buyer into believing it’s a winner.

It’s much easier to take the way of a “Façade” by putting up a false front with not much behind it. I would like to compare this to conformity, the act of making people, even ourselves believe we are something we’re not. Too many times we can take the easy route of just trying to fit in by acting like a Christian and conforming to the environment instead of being transformed from the inside out and looking for lasting change that will endure temptation and lead us to victory.

This concept requires a few important things that the Apostle Paul lays out. First, “present yourself”, your whole self, even the dirty stuff. We will never be transformed if we’re not honest. Before I do any type of remodel I always check the decking and floor support including foundation. If it’s weak and I give an honest opinion, the customer will sometimes want to ignore the issue and build anyway. Foundational truths are important to building a transformed life. The next is “Holy”, or reverent, walking in your true identity, separating yourself from the things of this world. We are to be known as God’s children, not just in word but also in deed. “Acceptable” is the act of fulfilling your spiritual gift, if we are just conforming we can easily force ourselves into a position we were never meant to fill. When we fulfill our calling in life, the work is considered acceptable. This has nothing to do with our relationship because God would never reject us. He will however not accept a work done with an impure motive.

Conformity will never last, just like a job built on a faulty foundation. In order to worship God we must worship in Spirit and in Truth. This can only be done by a transformed life. God doesn’t make bad people good, He makes dead people alive – that’s transformation. If you’ve been hiding behind a façade please consider allowing God to do the work on the inside for that transforming power to navigate thru life. I try to make myself available to help out in anyway because I’ve been there, done that, it takes one to know one, Amen!

Written By Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 51-52, Philippians 3| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “For you who wonder if you’ve played too long to change, take courage from Jacob’s legacy. No man is too bad for God. To transform a riverboat gambler into a man of faith would be no easy task. But for God, it was all in a night’s work.” – Max Lucado

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? – Romans 2:4

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.