Cardboard People

Do you know people, who put on a good front, but, when you get to know them, they're shallow and have little substance. These cardboard people may look like strong Christians on the surface, but they're way too focused on themselves, and they tend to be hard to work with. They're not bad or evil, but they're high maintenance and are more concerned with getting their needs met than with following Christ. They pretend to be faithful and say all the right things, but their hearts just aren't in it. These people usually dress well, because they're concerned about their image, but the impressive outward appearances make up the biggest part of who they are.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for...what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25).

Yet, remember that Jesus loves them, too. In fact, because of their emptiness, they likely need our love and friendship more than most. They've lived too much in the world, and it has corrupted their thinking. Somehow along the way, their faith has never grown from the infant stage. These people have a lot of potential, but too much of it has been pushed back.

A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).

Some of the Pharisees in the Bible were cardboard people. They knew what they should do, so they could present a good front, but humble righteousness never entered their hearts. They gripped the letter of the law, but they became judgmental and holier-than-thou. They had selfish attitudes and maliciously tried to discredit Jesus, so they would get the glory. They failed to realize that in order to be the person God wants us to be we must empty ourselves of self and let Him fill us completely. We must let him work through us, not with us or for us.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20).

However, this lesson shouldn't cause you to try to figure out who are cardboard Christians or point a finger at anyone. Instead, let it be a warning, so you never lose your focus on following the One who gives life meaning and direction.

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