I recently heard a podcast by Rick Warren in which he posed the question: If being a Christian was suddenly outlawed – would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
This probing question reminded me of a story about a friend from years ago. My friend got a job in a bank and as part of her training, she spent months fondling all denominations of paper money. She was taught to recognize “the real thing,” because apparently counterfeit bills have an entirely different feel than the real deal.
I’ve been ruminating on my walk with Jesus and how people perceive me. Am I truthful? Am I authentic or more of a counterfeit Christian? Would I be arrested for my faith or would no one even realize Jesus is the Lord of my life?
I’ve always believed that I am a “what you see – is what you get” kind of person. It didn’t take long for the Holy Spirit to convict me. I’ve been guilty of putting on “my church face” for small group, church services or even with certain people; proclaiming “everything is fine” even if things are not fine. Is this just me or are ALL Christians guilty of this behavior?
Our church has just begun the church-wide campaign The Real Jesus. In the next several weeks we will be delving into Scripture to learn more about Jesus – the real man. Without even reading the entire book – I know Jesus doesn’t want us to be counterfeit Christians.
If I hope to get anything out of this series, it’s going to require a certain amount of cooperation on my part. It’s going to mean taking off my “church-face” and letting my guard down.
I’ve erected quite the emotional fortress around myself with walls that are oftentimes impenetrable, caused in part to a lifelong battle with depression. Low-self-esteem is one of the side-effects of depression that causes me to hide behind a mask – even keeping Jesus at arm’s length from time to time.
How can I get to get to know The Real Jesus, if I’m not willing to be real with Him? I’m smart enough to know I’m not fooling him; only myself. It’s time to start chipping away at these unscalable walls in order to let others in.
Letting people see the real us can be a scary prospect. Hiding behind walls that restrict our interaction with others has the opposite effect of modeling Jesus. It certainly doesn’t portray us as the real deal followers of Christ.
Do YOU ever struggle with letting people see the REAL YOU? Join us on our journey of getting to know JESUS, the REAL man and discover exactly WHO He wishes us to be. Are we counterfeit Christians or THE REAL DEAL?
Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT)
Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.
Thanks Kathy. A great reminder! Authenticity drew us to the Vineyard!