Authentic Excuse?

Happy Sunday, everyone!

There's a big buzz word going around churches these days. I actually think it is big in a number of circles, but my experience with it is mainly in ministry. The word is 'authentic'. I have to say that I've used the word many a time to explain part of what I'm shooting for in leading worship. We all want to be seen as real or honest. When people can sense that you are not being straight with them, they will tune you out. It is always a goal of mine to share from the heart--and to be real in caring about what other people have to share as well.

This brings me to my frustration for the day. I am convinced that there are many people who use the term 'authentic' as a wall to put up or a bad excuse when they feel challenged on anything. I have heard the term so misused and so overstated that it is hard to even know what the word means anymore. For instance, there is a strong believer I know that has a mouth worse than a trucker, but refuses to give that up to God to be dealt with because it is 'just who he is'. Imagine if we all took that stance.

"Sure, I sleep around...but that's just who I am. I'm not gonna put up some front and pretend like it's not."
"Yeah, I still smoke up...but it's really not a big deal. It helps me to relate to those people that I'm sharing the Gospel with. They wouldn't take me seriously otherwise. They'd think I'm some church freak."
"I'm a Christian and all, but I'm not like the type that are all into it and stuff. That's just so fake."

Look, here's the deal. The Christian life is a journey. Christ invites us to follow Him. It is pretty stinkin' impossible to follow someone if you never move from where you are. If being overt in your sin and making an excuse to stay there is more 'authentic', then maybe it means your decision to follow Christ could possibly be a little more inauthentic than you'd like to admit. I can't be the judge of that, but I can certainly show you numerous portions of scripture that say that very thing.

I am authentically sinful. I am also authentically being changed. If I am excited about what God is doing in my life and the lives of those around me, you cannot call me inauthentic. In fact, interestingly enough, the definition of authentic is something "conforming to fact, and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief." I'm thrilled to say that I am something that is conforming to fact--the fact of Jesus Christ.

I will admit that many people do come off as churchy and not willing to get to the heart of the matter. I would agree that those kind of 'everything is perfect today because of God' attitudes are, many times detrimental to the Gospel because 9 out of 10 people can't relate to a 'perfect' life. Incidentally, I fall into that 9 out of 10. To put it as authentically as I know how, life is far from perfect. I don't easily relate to those 'happy, jolly Christians,' but I cannot and will not question their authenticity.

I guess my frustration with this whole buzz is that being authentic essentially means that they are just doing what is natural and free of outside influence and 'manipulation.' Unfortunately, I need a little manipulating. My natural way stinks for the most part. The Bible agrees with me. Proverbs 14 says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Given the choice between the unchanged, natural me and the changed, affected me, I'd take the latter every time.

Let's be honest. Authenticity really means honesty. You find me a person of integrity and honesty, and I'll show you a person who is authentic. Cutting through the buzz cuts through the excuses.