Fake it Until you Don't Make it

Fake it until you make it. Or until the truth comes out and you don’t make it. For me, that is the moment when we get saved by Jesus Christ. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, NLT). In this Plan, we will explore this idea by looking at Jacob’s life. May it help us expose the areas of our lives in need of freedom by the Truth.

DAY 1: FAKE IDENTITY

Many things in life depend completely on our identity cards. For example, which countries we may visit or whether we get a driver’s license. Without the right identity document, we do not get far.

Jacob’s mother understood the implications of her favorite son’s “wrong” identity (Genesis 27). Being the youngest child disqualified Jacob from his father’s blessing and rich inheritance. There was only one way to change the unchangeable. By faking it. “But [Isaac] did not recognize Jacob, because Jacob’s hands felt hairy just like Esau’s. So Isaac prepared to bless Jacob. ‘But are you really my son Esau?’ he asked. ‘Yes, I am,’ Jacob replied” (v. 23-24, NLT).

Jacob’s “faking it” did not result in “making it”. Unless you count making it into his evil uncle Laban’s claws for the next twenty years (Genesis 28). Even Isaac could not take back his blessing, (Genesis 27:33), Jacob lived as a captive of his lies for many years. Only when he gave up the false safety of Laban’s household, Jacob could be free.

While Jacob continued avoiding Esau and his lie, he could stay alive. But the moment he left Laban, he had to face the truth. “After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, ‘We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you - with an army of 400 men!’” (Genesis 32:6, NLT).

But Jacob underestimated the power of identity by blood. No amount of lies or pretense can change the identity of blood brothers. Even though Jacob was willing to accept the identity of a servant, Esau knew that nothing could change the truth about them being brothers. They were forever tied to each other by blood. “Jacob replied, ‘They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.’ ‘My brother, I have plenty,’ Esau answered..” (Genesis 33:8-9, NLT).

In the same way that only the blood of Jacob and Esau could unite them as brothers, we can only be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. No matter how we try “faking it” to be good enough, we can never inherit heaven without accepting the blood of Christ. It is the only truth that can set us free. “But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13, NLT).

What are you doing that might help you get into heaven? Do you believe that you can make it if you try hard enough?

Let us accept the truth about our identity in Christ. It is only by his blood that we are saved. There is no need to fake it until we don’t make it. “God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace” (1 Peter 1:2, NLT).

Scripture readings:

Genesis 27:30-35

Genesis 33:3-11

Ephesians 2:13

1 Peter 1:2