BONDO BELIEVERS

Have you ever bought a used car? One thing you have to beware of is a car that has been in an accident and bondo was used to repair it. Bondo is a resin product that is used in the place of proper body work.

In forty years of ministry, I have known my share of bondo-believers. By that, I mean people who appear to be Christians on the outside but inwardly were something quite different.

The apostle Paul wrote what his prayer was for the believers living in Philippi. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).

Without Wax

A definition of the word sincere that Paul uses would be “without wax.” The origin of this goes back to ancient Rome, when they would make fine pottery, which was relatively thin, and fragile cracks would develop after firing.

So, rather than remake the piece, unscrupulous potters would fill the cracks with hard, dark wax (first-century bondo). This would be revealed when the object purchased was placed in bright sunlight, as the wax would melt.

So Paul uses this phrase “without wax” to speak of genuine believers, not fake believers. As we wait for Christ’s return, let’s pray that we are not bondo-believers, but rather genuine followers.