Authenticity has been a buzz word in our culture for quite some time. It’s a word used to sell products, inspire others, empower activists, and more. But when I think about authenticity, I can get frustrated by all the noise drowning out its true meaning. I want to be authentic because I know Jesus was the real deal. But I’ve found so much confusion around what authentic actually is, so I puzzled it out a bit with God’s word. Hopefully the clarification brings you some joy!
Let’s start here: Jesus did not condone living a life of sin. We never see him claiming in scripture that it was a-okay to keep on messing up without trying to get help. He lived by example and in his perfection, we see that there is a way to live a sinless life. In seeing this, we recognize that we must work towards holiness. He encouraged and commanded those he healed to “sin no more” (John 5:14, John 8:11).
We can’t just keep on sinning and parade it around under the guise of “hot mess authenticity.” There are a lot of (Christian!) speakers, writers, teachers, etc. that I’ve noticed listing their failures–dare I say it–proudly and laughing them off. We all fail. But I am absolutely certain that the consequences of our sins do not make us want to HONESTLY laugh. I love to laugh more than anything. But not at my own sin or anyone else’s! This is just not godly authenticity.
Back to Jesus. I mentioned above that he was perfect but he wasn’t bragging about it. He wasn’t “flexing” or showing off his greatest accomplishments. He was humble, subtle, peaceful.
When I read about his life and consider his walk, I don’t feel sickened because of his perfection. I always feel nauseated by images of fake perfection. Perfect social media photos of spotless houses and immaculately dressed and coiffed children? GAG ME!
Jesus walked through life with his holy agenda, perfect. His flawlessness was the only true perfection we’re ever going to get. There is not a reality in which a human can replicate his wondrous nature. So, why do so many people try to?
Paul himself commanded us to try in Matthew 5:48, writing, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Some context here: Paul was reminding early Christians to stop claiming ridiculous things like greeting their own brothers as a victory. Maybe Paul was concerned with people being unrealistic, too.
How do we find a space between “hot mess authenticity” and the fake perfect that is honest and real?
I think we can return to Paul’s command and find true authenticity. It’s not claiming perfection or listing achievements in some sort of brag book. It’s not a place for “flexing.” It’s also not a place to just laugh off the areas in which we are truly at fault, in sin, struggling, or failing. As a follower of Jesus if I want to be authentic, I must be honest and realistic and do my best.
I must do my best to draw near to Jesus and trust that space to heal me, repair the brokenness in me, and lift me to a place closer to him. Authenticity is giving our best effort at a sinless (perfect) life and persevering through our own messes and their consequences to run straight into the perfect arms of Jesus.
One last thought on authenticity: I’m convinced we aren’t going to be comfortable in the space of authenticity. But we also won’t be alone! I’ve noticed in my own life that when I am humble and share my struggles with a trusted friend or family member, they’ve been there or somewhere similar. They can relate, somehow. And in authentic relationships, we will find some of God’s greatest gifts and life’s purest joys.
1 thought on “Searching for Authenticity”
I feel a pull from the Holy Spirit this last month for me to go back to what I know is true. Quiet the lies that are constantly bombarding us as women today. Come back to the meek way God has shown me over and over is the best way to live. I’m so glad HE loves us enough to pull us back close to his side.