Pretend Games

Every now and then, my older GRANDS love “tricking” their aunts. I will be talking to them on the phone and our conversation will go something like this:

GRAND – “Can I talk to Aunt Bet” (or Aunt Anna)?

Me – “Ok”

GRAND – “Nana, don’t tell them who it is”

Me – “Ok…I won’t tell them.”

Me – (loud enough for the aunts and the GRAND to hear) “Bethany (or Anna), someone wants to talk to you!”

At this point, one of the girls takes the phone and proceeds to play their nephew’s game:

Aunt – “Who is this?”

GRAND – “It’s ______” (spoken in a baby voice)

Aunt – “Well, hey ______! How are you doing?”

And so, the game continues until their nephew finally starts laughing and “reveals” who he really is.

My little GRANDS just LOVE “tricking” their aunts…they think it’s the funniest thing to try to make their voice sound like one of their younger siblings. What they don’t realize right now at their young age is that they are really not tricking them at all. Their aunts know who is actually on the other end. They’re just playing the game right along with them.

My thoughts this morning are on another type of “pretend game” that many people play – both young and old. It is very similar to the one my GRANDS play but the very tragic reality is, that the game itself is very dangerous.

I am referring to the game – “pretend to be a Christian”. The game goes something like this:

Christian – “Hello, my name is _______.”

Pretender – “Hi! my name is _______ and I’m a Christian” (as he/she pretends to have an interest in spiritual things)

As their conversation continues, the game continues until “Christian” and “Pretender” go their separate ways. At this point, “Christian” just continues doing what he always does – trying to live a life in obedience to God’s Word. “Pretender”, on the other hand, reverts back to who he really is – an unsaved individual trying to live a double life.

My friend, does the life of “Pretender” describe you this morning? Who are you…when you are alone? Does the company you are with dictate who you are at that particular moment? If you are around the unsaved, are you “one of them”? If you are around Christians, are you doing your best to be “one of them”? If this describes your life, do you realize what a very dangerous game you are playing? This game has a very high price – eternal death in Hell.

You may have lived a pretend life for many, many years. The good news is, that you don’t have to continue playing this game. In fact, I implore you NOT to continue playing this game with your soul.

Right now, fear of what others would say may be keeping you from admitting your lost condition. Think about it – would you rather continue giving in to that fear and thus spend eternity in Hell? Is hanging on to your pride really worth eternal punishment? May I assure you right now, those who are genuinely saved would be absolutely THRILLED to hear that you have gone from being a pretender to truly knowing Christ as your Saviour!

This morning, won’t you admit your game of pretend?

This morning, won’t you admit that you really don’t know what it’s like for the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin – and never have?

This morning, won’t you admit that you really do not have any interest at all in spiritual things – and never have?

This morning, won’t you admit that you have no desire to talk to the Lord in prayer – and never have?

This morning, won’t you admit that you have no desire whatsoever for God’s Word – and never have?

This morning, won’t you admit that you have no desire to be around God’s people – and never have?

This morning, won’t you admit that you have absolutely no desire for the preaching of God’s Word – and never have?

This morning, won’t you humble yourself before God? That is the first step – humbly admitting your game of pretending.

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5

Then, acknowledging that it is NOT your good works but rather CHRIST ALONE that can save you:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9 

Finally, repenting of your sins and believing that Christ died to pay the penalty for your sins, was buried and rose again – and asking HIM to save you!

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9,10,13

All pretend games have to stop at some point – either sometime before our death, or at that moment that we take our last breath. Since we don’t know when our last breath will be, shouldn’t we stop any pretend games NOW?

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

“prepare to meet thy God” Amos 4:12