Real or Counterfeits

 





by Shelia Gaines


Verse for Thought:
But he knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as pure gold.  Job 23:10


Cubic zirconium is not a real diamond, but a cheaper imitation.  It looks like a diamond if you don’t look too close.  You might say it is a counterfeit diamond.  It can still be a beautiful piece of jewelry with the look and feel of a diamond without the price.  “The whole reason there is a counterfeit is because there is something valuable that is real.” This is quote from A Call to Business, a DVD on Christianity in the work place.

When you don’t live your life for Christ with integrity, you counterfeit the gospel.  You look the part and when you are around certain people, you play the part, but you are faking it.  When it’s time for you to be “tried in the fire” as every diamond must be, you cannot stand the heat.

Gold plated is not the same as real gold.  It is covered in gold, but it will fade.  I have “gold” colored ear rings that have lost their color and the silver underneath them now show, but my gold has lasted on my wedding rings for almost 30 years because it is real gold.

Where are you today?  Are you in a real relationship with God or a counterfeit one?  If someone rubs you the wrong way, will your religious façade rub off and the real you shine through or will they still see Jesus underneath the pain or disappointment?    Will they see the light of Jesus shining like pure gold?

Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord, help me to be real, not to please anyone else, but so that I might truly please you.  If there are areas in my life that need to be refined help me to see what they are and to walk through them by faith.

Take the next step:
If God should come to you today as a jeweler, would he find a real diamond or cubic zirconium? Why not take a moment right now and ask him what you need to do to allow him to take your “diamond in the rough”, whatever that might be and make it into something beautiful.