What the University of Virginia Prankster Can Teach Us About Genuine Christianity

I love creative thinking and a vivid imagination. I recently read an article about a fellow who used a lot of creative thinking and imagination to pull off one of the biggest sporting scams of all time! You can read about it here. In a nutshell, a University of Virginia student came up with an ingenious plan to become a part of his school's basketball program for the championship game of the ACC tournament. I will let you read most of the details but suffice it to say his plan worked beyond his wildest imagination. He was able to sit court-side, join a team huddle during the game, receive a championship t-shirt and cap and have his picture taken with the championship trophy. Danny was able to enjoy the fruits of the Cavalier's success but none of it was real and genuine. He was not really part of the team and the reward was not really his to enjoy. He had done none of the work nor made the necessary sacrifices to be a legitimate part of the program.

Playing "dress up" or "pretend" is a lot of fun when done at the right time and place. Most of us have been to a party where we dressed up in something fun for the night. I once dressed up as Elvis for a "Decade Party." I wore gold pants, white jacket and a dark wig as I portrayed Elvis in all of his 1956 glory! I had a great time that night but when I went home I took off the outfit in order to be who I really was again. Unfortunately, some folks never take the mask off and spend their entire life playing "dress up." 

One of the greatest tragedies in eternity will be those exposed as spiritual frauds. They had the look of a believer but no real faith to make them one. They talked the talk of a Christian but never walked the walk. They went to church, had Christian friends and sang in the choir but had no spiritual fellowship with Christ. These are the folks Jesus spoke of in Luke 13:37, "I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me all you workers of evil."

Make certain your faith in Jesus is genuine and not "window dressing" for your mama and friends. God is real and so is sin, hell and eternity. If you are not certain that you really know Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life, find a Bible believing church and learn how you can become a Christian today!

And if you are genuinely a believer in Christ don't wear a mask when you attend church this Sunday. If you are hurting, let someone know so they can pray and minister to your need! We are human and all of us need love, prayer and help at some point. Don't deny yourself the blessing of receiving what God wants to do in your life through fellow believers!

James