Some of us were in the school plays when we were in high school. I was in both, the Junior and Senior Class plays. I still remember some of the lines from these plays.

In Biblical times, the Pharisees were the Play actors of religion and did what they did to be seen of men, much as Actors and Actresses do today, to be seen by the masses.

In plays, the audience goes to see actors on the stage. The actors aren't really themselves, they are "acting their parts".

They are doing something to be seen by others and they playing different people that they really aren't in "real life".

Here are some things ti consider about these "players or Actors:

1. The Actors:--the Pharisees and Hypocrites

Plays date back to the ancient Greeks who were involve with theatrics and also physical competitions. They valued sports, fitness, theaters, plays, etc. Many actors of that day played numerous parts. They would
wear different masks, clothes, costumes for each "Part" they would play.

Today, even in some of the older westerns we used to see, the Indians would be running from the Calvary.
These indians would be dressed up, feathers, war paint, etc. They would ride across the area and the cameras would stop. These "indians" would then change clothes, remove the war paint, put on soldiers uniforms and go back and come trough the same area as before and the cameras would roll again. It would then look like the soldiers were chasing the indians, in the finished picture but, in reality, it was the same actors, just playing different parts. This was done to keep the cost of the production time at a minimum.
If you look up the definition of Hypocrite, you will find it is basically portraying oneself as being one way but yet, doing entirely something opposite of that which was being portrayed to others.

Hypocrites are "play Actors on the stage of Life.
His actions reflect not the motive of a Christian love but the motive of self pride and glorification. The old "look at me" scenario, we have all come to know so well. "Look at what I have done, look at what I have accomplished, look how important am. No where in the Scriptures have I found that Jesus ever bragged on anything He did. He was a man of humility and His actions spoke for themselves.

2. The Audience: "Before Men"

We should never do what we do, as Christians to gain applause of to gain attention from others to glorify ourselves. The Pharisees used religion as a means to their own glory. We still have these type people around today. We are told to seek the Glory of God, not our own. John 5:44.

3. Their Performance:

The true Christian seeks to bring glory to God. Those who "Play Act," see to bring glory to themselves.
They wore masks of prayer, praying to be seen and heard of men and for the glory and laud of man. The wore masks of fasting. They bought larger garments and gathered them in at the waists to falsify losing of weight. The would use powders to make themselves look pale, the would not shave and they would not comb their hair so they would look unkept and piously reverent in fasting.

If one is play acting for his own glory, that's all he will ever get. Popularity with humans is temporary. Hollywood is littered with those that once were, The world is full of musicians who once were.

4. The Curtain Call:

This is a time when the masks are removed and the real you shows forth,. The curtain call will reveal how we have acted on the stage of life. I have a t-shirt that says, "I play for the audience of One". I do exactly that, when I do piano concerts.

Whatever we do, do it for the Glory of God not for yourself or for the audience of man.

If you are not a Christian--you are missing
1. His gift for you
2. His joy within you
3. His loved manifest for you.

If you are a Christian, where is your motive based?

A. For God's Glory
B. For your own Glory.

God Bless all of you and have a great week.

Oldbiker