As I sit to write this article it is more than a month from the time you are reading it.  I was looking at the calendar in preparing this bulletin.  I am likely just finishing my meeting in Kentucky and preaching this morning in Butler, PA.  I am likely preaching right now and enjoying a short time with the saints in Butler.  You can be assured that I am homesick.  I cannot stand being away much more than an afternoon, much less a couple of weeks.  I’m probably exhausted.  Yet, I’ll be heading back to El Paso soon and am getting excited to see my family and get back to work with you brethren.

     That being said, I looked at the date this article would be published in this local bulletin and notice that the day called “Halloween” is but two days off.  Interestingly that will fall on a Tuesday in which the brethren here are to assemble (I so hope I can be back, but it is not likely).  I wonder as I write this article if by chance any of our children in the congregation will be wanting to “trick or treat” on this given evening.  As I wonder that, I know that is not likely as everyone knows what comes first (Matthew 6:33, Luke 14:26-33, and Colossians 3:1-3).  Am I right?  I hope so, for it would be a horrible thing to perceive that brethren would forsake the assembling of the saints for an activity that is worldly and rooted in paganism (Hebrews 10:24-25).  I believe Paul’s inspired question is fitting on this thought: “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men” (Colossians 2:20-22)?

     I have children who like to dress up as funny little non-satanic characters and go door to door asking politely for a treat.  We enjoy meeting people in the distant neighborhoods we have not yet met.  This Halloween my children will be where your children are.  That is, sitting at the feet of one of the capable brethren studying and learning from the pages of the word of God (John 5:39 and II Timothy 2:15).  Who could ask for a better treat than to consume that which is wholesome and filling for the soul (Matthew 5:6 and Luke 4:4)?  That is unless we view the Gospel differently and lesser than candies.  This Halloween, will you be performing a trick or looking for the truth?

     There are those who appear before the brethren to wear the garment of Christ (Galatians 3:27).  These costume Christians put on an outward appearance to be seen for their outward works (Matthew 6:2;5 and Matthew 23:5).  Some put on the costume of a bible student and pretend to love the knowledge that comes from spending time in the book.  When in class they know a lot of answers and the Scriptures seem to always be on the tip of their tongue.  Who does that impress?  We are not only to know the truth, but most of all to practice it (James 1:21-25; cf. II Corinthians 5:10).  Others, they put on the costume of servitude.  They will constantly remind you that they are there for you whenever you need them.  That is, until you ask them when they are not wearing their costume of servitude (Matthew 23:3).

     Costume Christians come in all shapes and sizes.  For example, within the context of this lesson, there are those who wear the costume of faithfulness.  Yet, when services are on they are lacking in interest to be there.  They say they love to study and worship, but it is a matter of time and they just don’t have any.  While a costume might trick a few in the flesh, God’s eyes are not covered through a costume of pretence (I Samuel 16:7, Psalms 7:9, Hebrews 4:13, and Revelation 2:2).  Well, this person should be out on Tuesday night tricking and treating, for candy is about the closest they’ll get to anything “heavenly” (Galatians 6:7-8)!

     Think about this if you are a trick maker instead of a truth doer.  You are constantly wasting your time getting all dressed up in your costume to fool those who are faithful.  The reward for a costume Christian is no greater or less than an outright disobedient drunkard, idolater, fornicator, or such the like (I Corinthians 6:9-11).  The earning for all and every sin is eternal damnation (Romans 6:23; cf. Matthew 25:31-46).  A good “poker face” doesn’t make you any better than an atheist.  In fact, at least the atheist is honest in their disdain for the Lord.  As Amos told Israel, we need to seek the Lord if we desire to live (Amos 5:4).  Acting like you are living a life you are not is just a big lie and you’re the one who is most deceived.  We need to search ourselves and make sure that we are not telling ourselves a lie about who we really are (Ezekiel 18:27-28, Haggai 1:5, and II Corinthians 13:5).  If you find that you are a costume Christian, change it by not having to make up who you are.  Just repent and follow the Lord (Acts 26:20)!

     The world on Tuesday (if that is the night candy will be passed out locally) will be accepting kids at their doors and giving candy out to all the cute children.  Those children will dress up as their favorite sports hero’s, super hero’s, as fireman, policeman, and such the like.  On Tuesday night you don’t have to dress up to be like your hero if your hero is Christ.  If Christ were here, you know He’d be present where the truth is being discussed (Luke 4:16ff.).  Jesus would have prepared himself ahead of time to be ready to have a fruitful discussion with those of like precious faith.

     Tuesday evening will be a good study.  If I can’t make it back by then, I’m sure everyone will be able to tell me about the good truths that were discussed.  There are no “Costume Christians” here, right?  As Christians, let’s allow those around us to constantly see the true hero of our faith in us (Matthew 5:16).  John said: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (I John 2:3-6).  How have you been walking lately?  Is it trick or truth?