And that is ultimately the point. We serve the Almighty God. The creator of the heavens and the earth. He spoke everything you see into existence. God does not need to cheat beloved. He does not need to cut corners. He does not exaggerate, pretend, or lie.
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, "You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court." Romans 3: 3-4 (NLT)
When He gives us His spirit to live within us, He expects that we will pursue to become more like Him, through the sprit of God that now lives inside of us. It is not enough to have religiosity the appearance of a relationship with God. He desires the real thing!
Ananias and Sapphira had religion. They were part of the early church movement. The Apostles knew them by name! The young rich ruler had plenty of religion. He had followed the commandments and felt justified that he had done what was necessary to inherit eternal life. But he hid in his heart something more important to him than God and yet approached God as if he was justified. The Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders were the embodiment of religion during their time on earth. Yet deceit still ruled their hearts.
As we continue to live in the end times, it is ever more important to heed the warnings God has given us in His Word. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy of just this:
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2Timothy 3: 1-5 (NLT)
We continue to live in a society that is increasingly proud and boastful where less and less is considered sacred. The unloving attitude and unforgiveness runs rampant not only through the world but through the church as well. Friends are betrayed through unrighteous means even though righteousness is used as an excuse. The most frightening part of these verses however is the notion that many will act religious yet deny the very power that could make them godly. God does not operate deceitfully beloved and He does not expect us to as well. The bread we seek to gain may taste sweet at first, but in the end it only amounts to a mouthful of gravel. Instead, don't deny the power within you that can make you Godly - taste and see that the Lord is good.
