The Year of Authenticity

au·then·tic – of undisputed origin; genuine

              We have dubbed 2017 as “The Year of Authenticity” at Northside Baptist Church. Of course, we always want to be authentic in our faith, but we want to give special attention to it in this upcoming year. The main complaint you will hear from the world is that Christians are not real, they are not genuine, or in other words, they are not authentic. Some of these complaints are warranted and others or not, but we must make it our effort to be as true to Christ as we possibly can be.

              In Matthew 16:24 Jesus tells us, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” It is here that I believe we have Jesus’ definition of authenticity. We are to deny ourselves. Self-denial means that we do not respond to others as we naturally would, but that we display the love and grace of God in an extraordinary way. It means that we do not respond to unsettling times as others would, but that we respond in faith. It means that we show discipline in prayer, Bible study, and give careful consideration to who God is and His ways. Self-denial means that we move from the place of comfort to a place of discipline and focus.

              Jesus’ next challenge is for us to take up our cross. Ultimately, Jesus is telling us what the road to self-denial looks like. The cross was an instrument of death. Jesus is say, if you want to follow me, you must die to self. Your personal agendas, rights, and ideas must die – only to be replaced by the agenda of Christ. Can you imagine how our relationships, marriages, and interactions with others would change if we simply died to self? This is the call of the believer.

              Finally, we are called to follow Him. Jesus is saying that the call of Christianity is not really that hard. It is not a set of rules to follow. It is not a list to check off. To truly be a follower of Christ, to be authentic, we must simply follow him day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. If we will allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, truly dying to self, then we will be all that Christ has called us to be.

              So, let us make it our aim to be authentic believers in the year ahead. Give daily attention to the ways and attitudes of Jesus Christ. Strive to respond to others as He would. Strive to respond to situations as He would. As the definition for authentic says, let us be of “undisputed origin; genuine.” I look forward to seeing what the year ahead holds as we seek to be fully devoted followers of Christ.

Honored to be your pastor,

Darrell