There is a market in Managua, Nicaragua where you can get Oakley
sunglasses for about 5 bucks. We’ve sent several teams down there over the
years and our teens affectionately refer to them as FOakleys (Fake Oakleys). From
10 feet away they look pretty good but when you get up close it’s a different
story. In your hand they just don’t feel right and of course when one of the
lenses pops out they don’t look right either!
The devil is a master of the counterfeit. Just like the guy on the
street corner in New York selling knockoff Rolaxes he peddles his merchandise
claiming it’s the real deal. It’s not. He tried it with Jesus in the wilderness
and he’ll try it with you. Here are just a few of his forgeries –
- Arrogance vs. Confidence.
- Tolerance vs. Love.
- Psychics vs. Prophecy.
- Happiness vs. Joy.
- Security vs. Peace.
- Being Right vs. Being Righteous.
- Success vs. Significance.
- Religion vs. Relationship.
I'm sure you can think of a few more examples. From a distance they look pretty good but upon
closer inspection you begin to see the not so subtle differences.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came
down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it
did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears
these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who
built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:24-27
NIV
Other than the foundation both houses were identical. The walls, the
roof, the tile, the countertops, the furniture – right up until the storm came
and revealed what was underneath. The fake stuff just doesn’t hold up. We all
want the nice stuff but sometimes we’re not willing to pay the price. You can’t
touch real Oakleys for under $100. You can’t get a real Rolex for $15 (or 2 for
$20). Here’s the deal though… Jesus covers the cost. All we have to do is let
go of the counterfeits and trust Him for the goods. Let’s commit to trading our
trash for God’s treasures today.
