Authenticity

Introduction

A number of surveys have been done to discover what people think about Christians. The surveys largely focus on asking those who are not followers of Jesus about their perceptions of churches and believers in general. The results are generally not favorable. But some of the results are also surprising. In one survey, respondents acknowledged that they are drawn to Jesus but not his followers. We can regard that as both positive and negative. In the same survey, respondents said that they had never been asked to attend a church and that if a friend who followed Jesus did ask them, they would consider it. That’s a positive.

In a different survey, respondents said what they didn’t like about churches was that they were too political. That is apparent in some places more than others but evangelicals get a lot of press during the presidential cycle. They represent a large voting bloc and candidates reach out to them in one way or another. Across several surveys, there was one answer that was given over and over. Many respondents believed that there was a significant difference between those who claimed to follow Jesus and the demonstration of those claims. The word “hypocrisy” was used to describe followers of Jesus.

We don’t like hypocrisy any more than others. The idea of hypocrisy is easy to point out. It is low hanging fruit. After all, the desire to sin less is paired with the reality that we still sin. There is also the perception among unbelievers that followers of Jesus are supposed to meet their expectations as well. I’ve been accused more than once by someone saying “and you are a preacher/Christian” meaning I didn’t meet their expectations. The point is that we have expectations of ourselves as followers of Jesus and those who are not followers of Jesus have expectations of us. It is easy to call us hypocrites when we don’t measure up. But it is also truthful when we claim to follow Jesus and the intent of our lives reveals otherwise.

The surveys also revealed this reality—unbelievers are looking for people who are authentic and real and genuine when they claim to follow Jesus. That is what we are going to focus on this morning. What does it mean to be authentic in a world that is looking for such and not finding it.

Authenticity Defined

Being authentic means allowing the real you to be seen. Not hiding yourself. Not hiding behind false masks and pretenses. I appreciate when someone tells me how they really are rather than pretending things are good. If you are struggling with relationships then we want our lives to point to the power of God and allow others to know that it is his power which enables us to keep trying. If we are celebrating a victory, we want the power of God to be seen as the means by which that victory happens.

Being real with others is being consistent in words and actions but also includes the idea of being authentic about life—sharing failures, victories, struggles and giving God credit for his power to enable us to rejoice and endure. Being real with others includes the idea of not appearing super spiritual but authentically human who struggles and hurts and celebrates but with one distinct difference—not for its own sake but for the sake of the Father. Wouldn’t it be great if we set out on a mission which resulted in people saying this about Christians—they’re people with integrity and courage; you can count on them; they are real?

What Does Authenticity Look Like?

First, authenticity looks like you. Sometimes we find it difficult to be who we are. There are times too when we feel forced to be something we are not. The truth is that God made us all different. Don’t misunderstand—we are to think in similar ways about God, Jesus, the church and other doctrinal matters—but how God made us and the gifts that he gave to us are unique in every way. There are some who are enthusiastic; there are some who are reserved; there are creative thinkers; there are persistent doers; there are scholars; there are students; there are emotional ones; there are those who are logical; there are givers; there are encouragers; there are teachers; there are administrators and so many more.

Sometimes we insist that a person be something they are not. We ask people to do something which God has not equipped them to do. What we need to be doing is helping folks discover their gift and encourage them to use it without bringing guilt upon them for not being the type of person you think they ought to be. If we are going to be real with people then we emphasize how God has made us and live accordingly. This is attractive to others. We didn’t become Christians in order to tone down our personality or to rev it up. God may have given you great mercy, lots of patience, deep wisdom, the ability to enjoy an adventure or thrive in solitude. And somewhere there is a person who needs to know Christ and needs to meet someone just like you—with your personality, your talents, your strengths, your weaknesses, your passions, and your interests. And you may be just the person who helps another come to know Christ.

Second, authentic Christianity is emotionally real. Somehow we have gotten the idea that being a Christian means that we do not have real emotions. The truth is that Christians are no different from anyone else. Cut us and we bleed; break our hearts and we cry; tickle our funny bone and we laugh. To pretend that we don’t grieve or that we can’t laugh at jokes is not being real. God has given us emotions. Authentic Christianity recognizes this truth.

When Lazarus died, Jesus expressed deep emotion in his weeping. In our text, Paul reminds Timothy about his tears (v. 4) and the gift God has given to him. But the reminder of that gift is also a tacit admission that Timothy was having some real struggles in his work. A young man who was working with a congregation that was filled with new Christians and who weren’t sure about Timothy’s maturity had to be reminded that his emotions were not to be the final authority. Authentic believers admit the reality of emotions. And in the process, believers admit that the emotions are overwhelming without the power and strength of God to shore them up. Folks need to see us grapple with our fears and sadness and jealousy and anger and loss. They need to see us work through these emotions in a faithful way without discounting the intensity of them. This is authentic Christianity.

Third, authenticity is confessional. Everyone fully expects a person to save his own hide when mistakes are made. Rare, indeed, is the person who admits to making mistakes. Most find ways to pass the buck. Some will place the blame on another. Authenticity accepts responsibility for the mistake. We work hard to project an image of perfection. But such an image pushes others away from us. Why? Because while we are trying to demonstrate how infallible we are, others are realizing that they could never live up to the standards we set. The truth is that people don’t expect us to be perfect, but when we act like we are we push them away from us. What people want to see is humility, confession, repentance, and maybe restitution. And when they see it, this helps them to know that you are serious about your faith. And you help them to know that they don’t have to be perfect in order to be a child of God. Some will never understand what we are about. But that does not release us from becoming authentic in the way we deal with others and this life. Be human and point others to the one who loves them in their humanity even while calling for them to change. Help people to see that you too are changing because of Jesus.

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