Tonight as I reflect on God’s Word I keep thinking of one word, “Façade.”  I decided to take a moment and look up the meaning of a Façade.  The dictionary says that a Façade (noun) is “the face of a building, especially the principal front that looks onto a street or open space.”  Another definition is, “an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality.”  (Source: google.com)

As I was reading this, it is like the Holy Spirit of God started working to really speak to me.  We have all known people who have disappointed us by their actions.  There are people we have known for a long time and then suddenly we were disappointed by something that truly identified their true character or motivation.  I have to admit, this is very disappointing when it happens.

As I sit here and contemplate this word, I think of the façade that many people put on or that they display on their buildings.  This façade really hides what is truly on the inside of a person, a house, or a building.  It may look beautiful on the outside, but what is on the inside is totally opposite. I have concluded in my life that there are only two things that really matter in eternity.  1). An individual’s salvation.  2).  People.  When our life is over the list is pretty short as to what we will take to heaven with us.  The only people going are saved people and the only investment that really matters from an earthly perspective is taking people with us.

I can think of two illustrations as I focus on this word “façade” and the definitions that appeared when I googled the word.  First, people who put on a façade (face) in front of the crowds and other people, but they really have selfish or wrong motivations and truly are someone different on the inside.  Jesus had a name for this kind of person; He called them hypocrites.  I have always tried to follow what C.S. Lewis once said, “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”  In other words, I want to be the same when people are not around.  I want my intentions to be pure regardless of who is around or the situation.

Secondly, people will put a nice façade on the outside of a building.  The question arises, is what is on the inside of that building as pure and good looking as what is being portrayed on the outside.  The building may look inviting and may actually be the primary focus, but is the truth revealed on its appearance.  Are the people inside of that building as happy as the appearance given outside?

Let’s take time to think about our own individual facades.  We all are somewhat guilty of letting others down at some point.  What does God see when He looks at our hearts?  What are our intentions?  Remember, what we say or think will not matter tomorrow.  The buildings we work inside of will not matter when this world is destroyed by fire one of these days.  However, our salvation and the people inside the walls of homes and buildings.

Jesus said in Matthew 23:27: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and uncleanness.”