Poser

I haven't been called a poser to my face, but I'm wondering if some riders might have thought it. I'm old, slightly out of shape, overweight, relatively slow, huff and puff when I climb, and generally not the best cyclist on the block. But I ride a fantastic, expensive, responsive, stiff, ultra light weight, professional level bike. The kind other very good cyclists drool over. But I'm not a poser. Really. It was a gift.

You all know what a poser is, whether you're a cyclist or not. A poser is anyone who pretends to be something they are not in any kind of endeavor. And real cyclists can spot a poser in an instant. They're the ones with all the right equipment, the latest technology, and the hottest gear who get dropped as soon as the pace picks up or the road turns up. That's me. But I'm not a poser. Really. It was a gift!

If I sound like I'm protesting too much, I probably sound a little bit like the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11. "What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more"(vv. 21-23).

Paul was being accused of being a poser by some others who really were posers, self-described "super-apostles" who were trying to peddle (no, not pedal) a different Gospel to the Corinthians. Paul said that their actions were not surprising. "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (vs. 14). This is why Paul warned the Galatians, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:8)

Of course, Satan is the ultimate poser. Most average, everyday posers are quickly revealed. But Satan is very cunning. By his cunning Eve was deceived (vs. 3) and he has been leading the world astray ever since (Revelation 12:9). He disguises himself as good and thus deceives people into following his evil schemes. It's no wonder that so many people say they don't believe Satan exists. They've only seen him in disguise, pretending to be something he's not. Only after they've fallen into his trap does he change masks and become the Accuser (what "Satan" means) causing people to despair of hope because of the mistake they've made.

So are we at a loss when it comes to the ultimate poser? No way! Jesus has already defeated the enemy, and revealed the ultimate weapon by which to overcome Satan when he resisted his temptations in the wilderness. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, will quickly reveal Satan's lies and send him packing (Matthew 4:1-11). James tells us "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7), and Peter adds, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9). A poser is a poser, is a poser. Sooner or later the mask comes off and he is ruined!