October 8, 2023
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord” Ephesians 5:8-10 (NRSW)
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” Galatians 6:3-4 (NIV)
Have you ever been disappointed by the response of someone you highly respected or that you have known for some time, and you were totally surprised by their actions or reactions. You are keenly aware that being authentic as a Christian is not only a reflection of one’s commitment to Christ but also a way to lead a fulfilling and purposeful Christian life that positively impacts them and those around them.
First let’s define being ‘authentic’. It is defined as, not false or copied; genuine, real, representing one’s true nature or beliefs, being true to oneself or to the person identified. It’s not about perfection!
Research reveals the word “authentic” is consistently in the top percentile of searches compared to all other words that are Googled. In 2018, the word ‘authentic’ was googled more than most other words. It’s super popular, and according to Google Trends it has been this way for years. Granted, many of these have to do with a dining experience, for example, (where can I get authentic Mexican food? ) Nonetheless, authenticity is still a favorite inquiry.
Why do you think Authenticity is so Popular? I believe authenticity is popular because we live in an increasingly fake world, with countless opportunities to craft the food we grow, the fabrics we wear, and the bodies we were given to artificial perfection. FAKE is all around us. The world of social media itself is a synthetic creation, filled with images that have been posed, filtered, and honed to display a desired image. Our churches and faith communities, in a desire to make God look good, subtly, or not so subtly, send messages, encouraging us to reveal only what is good, hide what is bad and exposing SIN!
I also believe Christian Authenticity is a serious issue to Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke is penned “You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip, and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day is coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.” Luke 12:2-3 (MSG)
How would you answer this question? What Is an Authentic Christian? Would you answer something like this? An Authentic Christian is someone who loves and follows the principles and teachings of Jesus! The ultimate litmus test for a Christian is to be a Christian. To be someone who lives out the gospel of Jesus Christ
An authentic Christian is one who walks in the way of love, one who loves as Christ loves. It is knowing Jesus in a very personal and intimate way. Christ served, healed, taught, and preached the gospel. He fed the hungry, discipled, called out religious hypocrisy, and He gave up His life for all humans to have life. The best way to be a Christian is to model the life of Christ. Yes, authenticity is different for Christians, because in addition to being true in our relationship with ourselves and others, Christian authenticity is being true in your relationship with God and living out the gospel.
The biggest challenge for a Christian is to be a Christian! It is being true in your relationship with God. One of the travesties and frequent excuses of non-believers not becoming Believers in Christ is their need to see Christians be Christians. Be loving. Be forgiving. Be kind-hearted. Be nice. Be generous. Be joyful. Be helpful. Be a good neighbor, a good citizen, a good friend, and a good family member.
The Apostle Paul gives a blueprint of how to be a Christian. In his writings to followers of Jesus in the city of Ephesus, he outlines a process to be the real deal for God in a godless society. Christians in a secular culture are challenged to be genuine followers of Jesus. Paul says, “Follow God’s example,” God’s example to love unconditionally, forgive freely, discipline compassionately. An authentic Christian “walks in the way of love, just as Christ loved.”
Again, an authentic Christian “walks in the way of love, just as Christ loved” He served, He healed, He taught, He preached the gospel, He fed, He discipled, He called out religious hypocrisy, He gave up His life for all humans to have life. Again, the best way to be a Christian is to model the life of Christ. A life inspired by the Holy Spirit’s power, the Father’s wisdom and the Son’s love.
It is about living a life of truth, sincerity, and integrity. It is a way to honor God and cultivate healthy relationships with others. Christian authenticity refers to living a life that is genuine, sincere, and in alignment with the teachings and values of Christianity. It involves being true to one’s faith, beliefs, and principles, both in one’s relationship with God and in interactions with others.
Christians who act like Christians are honest and quick to admit their imperfections to their perfect God, to their imperfect community of Christ followers, and to imperfect non-Christians. An authentic and attractive Christian life gives life. The gospel is unleashed when Christians are being Christians. It is rooted in the idea of being a faithful follower of Christ, emulating His teachings and example. Paul writes in the 5th chapter of Ephesians verses 8-10, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth and find out what pleases the Lord.”
Let’s be clear, authenticity is not about perfection. The Word of God assures us that the Christian life is not about perfection. Rather, it is about engaging in an honest process of becoming more like Jesus Christ. Authentic Christians don’t pretend that they are perfect. But when they mess up, they are quick to admit it and get back in step with Christ. They understand the grace of God and are also quick to give His grace to others. An authentic Christian is one who sincerely strives to be the “real deal and not FAKE.”
What Are The Marks of An Authentic Christian? 2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him.” (NRSV)
- Unquenchable Confidence. But thanks be to God, is a spirit of thankfulness amid trials and difficulty. Authentic Christians operate by a belief in God’s grace, love, and ultimate control despite dangers, hardships, persecutions, pressure, they experience.
- Unvarying Achievement. Our assurance is always assured in Christ. Though the struggle may be desperate it is never serious. It serves for the complete achievement of the objective God has set for us and even in the opposition we encounter, it is made to serve the purpose of victory.
- Unforgettable Influence. Authentic Christians spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. God tells us that our lives should be spent giving off a fragrance, a perfume, a pleasing bouquet, not only to other people but to God. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” (NRSV)
- Unimpeachable Truth. Our authenticity is found in the truth of Christ. We are sent and commissioned by God with a definite task and specific assignment that comprise our divine purpose. All is evaluated and tested by the purity and knowledge and wisdom of God. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, “So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (NRSV)
- Undisputable Reality. “This is the final mark of Christianity a change that cannot be explained by any other term than God at work. 2 Corinthians 3:2-5. “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all; and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God.” (NRSV)
HEART CHALLENGE: The danger of being biblically inauthentic includes straying from God’s will, being a hypocrite, deceptive, involved in unhealthy relationships, and inner turmoil. Therefore, authenticity is not only a moral imperative in the Christian faith but also a path to a more fulfilling and spiritually grounded life.
REMEMBER!
As a Christian you are engaged in a spiritual battle of universal proportions. Your soul is in conflict against the forces of evil! So, fight the good fight. As frightening as the powers of darkness may appear you serve a God of light, and the victory is His!
The Danger of Inauthenticity: Not being honest about one’s faith can lead to a superficial or legalistic Christianity, unhealthy relationships that could cause you to stray from the teachings and will of God which could make it difficult to discern and follow God’s guidance. Pretending to have it all together can create a facade that prevents genuine growth and hinders the ability to seek help or guidance when needed. The dangers of not being authentic in one’s Christian walk include superficiality, moral inconsistency, divisiveness, spiritual stagnation, a compromised witness, and a shallow relationship with God,
AN AUTHENTIC 
HEART: Christian Authenticity is about living a life of genuine faith, honesty, and integrity. Again, Being authentic as a Christian is not only a reflection of one’s commitment to Christ but also a way to lead a fulfilling and purposeful Christian life that positively impacts both the Believer in Christ and those around them.
Being authentic, both in a biblical context and in our everyday lives, is a concept rooted in honesty, genuineness, and living in accordance with one’s true self and beliefs. It involves aligning our actions, words, and thoughts with our core values and principles. In the Word of God, there are several passages that emphasize the importance of authenticity and the dangers of not being authentic.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for being the source of our sufficiency. We desire to be an authentic follower of Jesus. Show us how to live out of a radiant and real relationship with You Father, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!