My mother never knew how much her words haunted me when she said, “Robert, you said you would never smoke. I’m so glad you don’t smoke.” I may have fooled my mom, but my dad smoked 2 packs-a-day…and during planting season he opened a third pack of cigarettes. I think he “would have smoked chains” if he could have lit them. Dad knew. I didn’t fool him.

The picture is a vintage ad found in magazines & newspapers. We all knew better. In the 60’s the nickname for cigarettes was “cancer sticks”. In our gut we knew we were nuts… we went about fooling ourselves that nothing would happen. We only have ourselves to blame.

Accountability! It is something we don’t like to talk about or think about…but it’s a fact. “The Day” of accountability is coming for all. We can fool ourselves by saying, “there is no God” or “God is love and there is no Hell” or “I don’t believe….” But the Bible, that stands the test of time, is crystal clear, there is no escaping it…it is a certainty everyone will face God and give an account of their life. “But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:5 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Romans 14:12 and Jesus said, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36 This why Jesus came to earth. He was and is fully God… He called Himself the “Son of Man” 24 times in the Book of Matthew. As God, He knows our heart. As a man, He has experienced all of life’s bitter hardships and proved He is the perfect “Lamb of God.” Think about this! He has offered to represent & advocate for His followers before the Throne of God. Do you really want to represent yourself or would you rather have King Jesus speak on your behalf? Know this…you cannot fool Jesus!

We can “fool ourselves” by saying, “I’m a good person…I have not done terrible things like I see on TV News” but here is the reality check from Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death,” but here is the Good News of Jesus, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23b.

To become a follower of Christ…to begin a personal relationship with Him we find the answer in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Are you tired of fooling yourself? Are you tired of the anxiety and worries of this world? Wouldn’t you like to have the Peace that surpasses all understanding? Wouldn’t you like to have your heart…your life transformed? Only Jesus can do this. In John 4:1-26 we find the record of Jesus transforming the life of the Samaritan woman at the well. This is what Jesus does…this is what Jesus did for me. This is what Jesus can do for you… it’s a choice.