In recent weeks, I’ve been pushed a bit to think about my authenticity. Am I living my life in secret as I do in public? Do others see me for who I really am? Which category would I fit into? That of being “real” or “fake?” Do I do what I say? Would others say I am genuine in my concern?

These are all good questions and while I know I am not 100% of the time, I do strive to be authentic.

I read the chapter in “Love Does” that directed my thoughts toward the lifestyle of authenticity. Bob Goff states, “God is the master artist and made an original version of us, a priceless one that cost everything to create. A version that can’t and won’t be created again.”[i] If God thinks His version is pretty spectacular (and He does), that’s the version I need to share with others.

I’m sure you’ve met people who don’t seem to be authentic. Trying to make people think they are something they’re not?

Jesus had quite a bit to say about being authentic. Our hearts are to be pure. Our motives are to be honorable. Our actions are to reflect our Creator.

Jesus called this type of person a hypocrite. There are plenty of passages where Jesus speaks about being hypocritical. Here are just a few where Jesus calls those living deceitful lives out into the open. Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; Matthew 7:1-5; Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 23:27-28; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 13:10-17.

God’s definition of hypocrisy can be found in Isaiah 29:13. Jesus repeats this message in Matthew 15:8 (NIV). “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

That is where it all begins. Within the heart. The place that no one knows except God. We can fool others into thinking we are something we aren’t, but God will always call us out. He will not allow us to live our lives in this manner.

So how are we called to live? Authentic lives. Genuine lives. Honest lives. Trustworthy lives. Sincere lives. Holy lives.

James 1:22 (NIV) tells us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” In order to live a life worthy of God, we must do what Scripture tells us. Here are a few things Jesus spoke of.

According to Matthew 6:3-4, when we give to the needy, it should be done in secret. It will help to keep our hearts pure. Our motive for giving clean.

When we pray, Jesus says we are to do so in the privacy of our own homes (Matthew 6:6-13). Again for the very same reasons. God knows what we need before we begin to speak. But God wants to hear us call out to Him.

Jesus also mentions forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15) and fasting (Matthew 6:17-8) in this same section. All of this to show us how we can live authentically in our world and within God’s Kingdom.

And a little more from James. James 1:26-27 (NIV) says, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Our tongues will rat us out every time if our hearts are not in line with God’s teaching. If we allow our hearts to be polluted by the world, we will all short of living the holy lives God intends for us.

So my question would have to be, are you living an authentic life? Or are you the real thing? I know we make mistakes. We all sin. But God is asking that we put aside the ways of this world to live for Him. It really is a matter of the heart.

I pray that you will seek God’s presence and ask for forgiveness of those things that are ugly to His sight. I pray that you’ll desire to live a more authentic Christian life where others can see Jesus through you. I pray that your motives for giving, praying and fasting would be in line with God’s.

God is patiently waiting for you to join Him on this journey. Don’t wait. Life God’s way is filled with abundance. You really do not want to miss out on any of it.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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