Face the Music
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
--Romans 3:23
Remember the group Milli Vanilli? They enjoyed great success until it was revealed that they did not sing on their own records. Everyone found out that Milli Vanilli didn't really do what they said they did. Milli Vanilli had to face the music.
There is coming a day when we will all have to face the music. The phrase, "face the music," originated in Japan. A man was a part of the Imperial Orchestra, but he could not play a note. But because he was a man of great influence and wealth, he demanded a place in the group, because he wanted to perform before the emperor. The conductor gave him a seat in the second row of the orchestra, and he was given a little flute. During each concert, he would raise his instrument, pucker his lips, and move his fingers as though he were playing. But he never made a sound.
This deception went on for two years until a new conductor took over and wanted to personally audition every player. One by one, the musicians performed in his presence. Then came the flautist's turn, and he had to admit he was a fake. He couldn't "face the music."
None of us can live this life perfectly and flawlessly. All of us will fall short of God's glory, time and time again. But there is a difference between a person who seeks to live a godly life, but has their human failures and weaknesses, and a person who tries to appear to be more spiritual than he or she really is.
It has been said that you can fool all of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool God any of the time
