Matthew 22:16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.

Really? Did they just say, “we know you are true?” Would an honest man say He is God? If you believe that He is true, why would you challenge God? In the parallel scripture in Luke, it says that they were feigning righteousness and you can certainly hear that in the words they are saying. Nothing is more put-offish than someone who tries to put on righteousness by their words while their deeds say otherwise.

Every four years we see this kind of thing as the presidential candidates jockey for appearance. Which candidate can appear more Christian, with the most photo opps in churches and other situations that give them an air of holiness. Most of the time, they are blowing smoke; They are putting on.
But it’s not just those who are stumping for votes that do that.

From time to time I hear pastors and other church leaders who will speak King James English while lowering their voice two octaves in prayer. And in churches the world over there are people who are one way on the outside side the church door and another when they cross the thresh hold.

Don’t be that person.

If you want to convince others you are a Christian, then let God work through you naturally … it’s called Yashab in Hebrew … abiding. When we abide in Christ, things happen.

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

I’m going to tell you something that people who have books to sell don’t want you to know, because they want you to buy into their system. A fruit tree quite naturally makes fruit without the latest books, seminars, classes or programs because it was made that way by God. A Christian is empowered and in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit … the dynamite power of God. As long as one is willing, fruit will happen in the life of a Christian.

James 2:26 (NLT) Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.