with time, but not without hard work and a willingness to
set individual preferences and ambitions aside.
Or what if we followed Jesus’ example to lead with grace?
To be honest, just ask any parent, shame is a powerful
motivator. A little shame can whip a child in shape. “If only
you were more like your brother…” Here’s the problem with
shame, it doesn’t bring about true change. In fact, it actually
destroys a relationship. Jesus knew this. Shame leads to
hiding, denying, and deflecting, but it doesn’t lead to life
change. On the other hand, grace says, “I see you where
you’re at, embrace you, and want to help you move forward
in your faith.”
What I love most about the early church is that they
were real people, making hard decisions for the benefit of
the entire community. For a period of time, they weren’t
driven by selfish desire and personal ambition. True, it was
short-lived. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) soon entered the
picture and tainted things, but, in general, people liked what
they saw. There was a sense of authenticity, and, as a result,
God added to their numbers those who were being saved.
As I reflect on what is common about people who I like
being around, these people almost always have what I’ve
come to call an authentic faith. What is an authentic faith
composed of? First, I believe that an authentic faith is an
honest faith. It’s a faith that gets mad about injustices in the
world and in the church. It’s a faith that says, “I’m personally
flawed at some level just like everyone else.” It’s a faith that
says, “I have some doubts.” It’s a faith that says, “Life is hard,
and I’m really struggling to see the goodness of God in this
season.”
Eugene Peterson stated, “We don’t become more spiritual
by becoming less human.” Growing spiritually is about
learning to live and struggle with our faith, honestly
through all of life’s ups and downs. What I’ve discovered
is that mask-wearing people do not like it when others are
vulnerable. While vulnerability creates tension in some, it
also paints a path to freedom for others — freedom to be
a person in process, freedom to experience grace. I believe
that people in our society are tired of fake, plastic Christians.
Let’s embrace at a deeper level what it means to truly live
authentically.
Secondly, I believe that authentic faith is about being a
fresh representation of Jesus to the world. You see, Jesus
made God plain as day to us. Everything from how He
lived to the language He chose to use and the stories He
told, revealed the Father (John 1:16–18). Jesus made God
and God’s love a tangible reality. Jesus, more so than the rest
of us, was a stranger in this world. And I would argue that
He was strange, but only in the best way possible. I think it’s
pg. 30 — lightandlifemagazine.com
really interesting that Jesus opted to tell stories rather than
exegete the Old Testament for the people. Why did Jesus
choose this approach? Possibly, because the people already
knew the Old Testament and believed they understood it.
Their problem, like ours, is that they knew the Scriptures,
but they didn’t live them out. Jesus made God and God’s
love plain as day. Like Jesus, you and I have a role in making
God plain as day to those around us.
Finally, an authentic faith is a practical faith. Be serious
about allowing your faith to infiltrate every aspect of your
life. Faith can be both practical and fun, so while I encourage
you to take your faith seriously, don’t take yourself so
seriously. Learn to enjoy your life, laugh at yourself, have
fun and roll with the punches.
“I pray for you that
God will give you
divine opportunities
to clearly proclaim
with your life the
mystery of Christ’s
love to the world.”
Essentially, authentic faith is the imperfect application
of the simple tenets of the faith. It protects the unity of the
church by refusing to gossip. A serious faith says, “I’m going
to have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations,
useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies
because I know those conversations produce strife and give
birth to quarrels” (see Titus 2:7–8 and 2 Timothy 2:23).
These are good words for us as we engage in polarizing
conversations about church, COVID-19 protocols, and a
highly charged political season.
If you take anything away from this conversation, I hope
you will take hold of the opportunity you have been given by
God to be a fresh expression of His love to friends, neighbors
and co-workers. Friends, I pray for you that God will give
you divine opportunities to clearly proclaim with your life
the mystery of Christ’s love to the world. I hope you’ll let
go of all the nonessential expectations you have for people.
Jesus’ teachings are hard enough without us heaping extra
requirements like learning a new language — Christianese
— to the mix. Be wise. Be full of grace. Be willing to emerge
out of COVID-19 risking relationships with people who
look and act nothing like you.+
/lightandlifemagazine.com