1 Timothy 1:3-7 – “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.”  NKJV

Back to the matter of FAITH or GENUINE FAITH vs IMITATION FAITH.  I have made some observations in life that are revealing.  I have observed that people are prone to “fake it” in life and that carries over into the realm of faith.  We practice “faking it” more than we’d like to admit.  I do not ascribe to “fake it ’til you make it” but rather, “trust and you do not have to fake it.”  Let me give you a few examples of our faking it or encouraging faking it:

• I was in a school play in Junior High and the teacher directing the play told us “Relax, if you forget your lines, just fake it.” In some ways, that is what adlibbing is.  Pretending with the intent to deceive.
• At Christmas, birthdays or other occasions you receive gifts you did not want, need or appreciate and you “Pretend Joy, Surprise, Excitement, etc.” You are faking it!  Your motivation is to save anyone from embarrassment so you fake it.
• When unexpected guests arrive for a visit, guests you did not want to come you “Pretend to be happy to see them.” You fake it.
• I can remember in college, one particular history professor telling us, “Don’t try to snow me. If you do not know the material I will know it and you will fail if you try to snow me.”  The first exam was an essay test and although I had studied, did not know the answer to the question so what did I do, I SNOWED HIM and got an “A”.  I faked it.
• How about as a child not wanting to go to school or an adult not wanting to go to work? You faked illness.  I tried that once as a child and my grandmother broke out the Castor Oil.  Faking it had a price!
• In sports, especially basketball, many become adept in “flopping” or “faking it’. A player bumps into them and they sprawl on the floor appearing half dead.  They fake it.
• I can remember in High School and observe in watching sports that some players, after blowing an assignment, fake injury. I saw some that could not remember what was injured and would limp on the wrong leg.  They faked it.

We do that in relationships, business, and even in church.  We pretend and over time our pretense becomes a reality to us and we lose sight of the genuine and accept the imitation. In the realm of faith, faking it is not acceptable.  It is particularly tragic when people attempt to “fake it” with God.  If we lack a particular grace and attempt to “fake it” will produce nothing beneficial but will cause hardship and heartache in our lives.

I have found among many Christians an unwillingness to admit the absence or lack of faith.  I have long wondered why we would “pretend” or “fake it” when Genuine Faith is required.  Our pride should never come between us and the fruit of faith and another reason we are instructed to enlist the help of others to “agree” and “pray.”

A foundational truth in our relationship with God is FAITH.  If it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him without faith, what could be more important than discovering Genuine Faith and dismissing the Imitation?  We are told in Ephesians 2:8 that we are “saved through faith.”  In Acts 26:18 we discover we are “sanctified through faith.”  In Galatians 2:6 we read that we are “justified by faith.”  In 1 Peter 1:5 we are told we are “kept through faith.”  In Hebrews 11:33 we realize that “by faith we subdue kingdoms and obtain promises.”  And in verse 39 we “obtain a good report through faith.”    All the blessings and promises of God are entered into through the doorway of faith!

          Again, time and space require me to hold further thoughts until the next devotional. So, until then may God grant you His grace and guidance and lead you forth into the fullness and fruit of Faith.