An authentic life in Jesus Christ is unquestionable evidence of your devotion to God. Authenticity is a characteristic to develop and a skill to learn. Authenticity is the skill of living unguarded and with no hidden agendas.
Jesus Modeled an Authentic Life
God designed life to exist in the context of relationships, both a relationship with Him and relationships with others. When Jesus selected His disciples, He did not hide His purpose from them. Jesus taught them from the beginning of His public ministry that following Him and obeying His teachings would result in persecution and insults but also great reward.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” Matthew 5:11-12
Following Jesus would be a transformational process in which the disciples’ beliefs, values, and actions would be challenged. Repeatedly, Jesus began His teaching by saying, “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you…” He taught the disciples about their purpose (Matthew 5:16), responsibility (Matthew 5:19-20), relationships (Matthew 5:21-28; 6:12), religious practices (i.e., prayer and fasting); (Matthew 6:1-24; 7:7-11), thought life (Matthew 6:25-7:6), and false teachers (Matthew 7:15-23). Jesus taught the disciples with the expectation of obedience (Matthew 7:24-29; 8:22). When the time came for Jesus to send out the disciples to do the work of ministry, He warned them of the danger.
“But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me…. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus was the example of authenticity because he openly and honestly declared and lived His mission before His disciples. He intended to make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17; 26:56). He came “to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:19). He came to call the sinners (Matthew 9:13). He came “to serve and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28) and He came to do the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus intended for His disciples to become His replacement with the assignment of instructing others to follow Him and obey His teachings.
Living an Authentic Life
We must be intentional about our own spiritual maturity, and we should be authentic with others. The superficiality of relationships in the American culture does not lend itself to authenticity. If our personal relationships are superficial, then most likely, the way we relate to God may be superficial as well. Knowing God at a deep emotional and spiritual level is foundational for us being disciples of Jesus Christ, and for us exhibiting authenticity in personal relationships with others. Authenticity is a skill to counteract superficiality. Intentional discipleship requires believers in Christ “to be connected with authentic, committed Christians who live their faith…not just talk it.” Regi Campbell and Richard Chancy, Mentor Like Jesus (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2009), 82.
Jesus was the example of authenticity because he openly and honestly declared and lived His mission before His disciples. How intentional are you about openly and honestly declaring and living the Great Commission? Are you living an authentic life in Jesus Christ?
