When Madame Tussaud's Waxworks Exhibition at Baker Street, London, was burned
down, all the kings and queens and famous people melted and ran. They melted
because they were made of wax. They were not real people but they looked
remarkably lifelike. If you have ever visited the exhibition at its new home in
Marylebone Road, London, you may have been taken in by the wax policeman at the
door. Many people have made that mistake and asked him for directions. But the
fire found the original policeman at Baker Street wanting, because even he ran
that night. What must stand the test of fire cannot be made of wax.
In Roman times wealthy people were very fond of statuary - figures of marble or
stone standing in their houses or gardens. Sometimes damaged or cracked statues
were doctored up to look perfect by filling in the flaws with wax and colouring
it to look like the real thing. The trouble was that in the gardens the hot sun
melted the wax and gave the game away.
This coined the Latin word SINCERUS meaning pure or unadulterated. It was a word
to describe something that was good all through without fault or blemish, or
wax. The English translation of SINCERUS is SINCERE meaning true, genuine and
unaffected. So when you sign a letter with the words "Yours sincerely" you are
saying in effect, 'my comment and affection are genuine and true. I won't melt
and I won't run. I am the same throughout'. That is a very powerful statement.
Are there any cracks in your character? Do you sometimes forget, or say or do
the wrong thing? Are there no lapses on bad days? In all honesty most of us
would have to admit that at times our sincerity is flawed.
There is one person who has lived on this earth and was good and sincere all
through. A person who was without flaws, and those that follow Jesus Christ will
gain from His strength and character. To keep His company means that we will
become more like Him. In time that sincerity will become the mark of those who
are really trying to follow that path. They will display that they are not
shams, but pure through and through. They will not melt and run when they should
stand and declare.
Thanks to Ron Clarke w4w@keypoint.com.au
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