A Style That’s Authentic
We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
(2 Corinthians 4:2)
Listen to the way Paul talks about himself in 1 Thessalonians. For a moment he shifts the emphasis from the message to the messenger. “For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority” (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6 NASB 1995).
The man was real. He was so secure he peeled off all masks, all cover-ups, and stood vulnerable before God and others. It’s beautiful! Even though he was an apostle—a genuine first-century bigwig—he did not push for the limelight. He consciously resisted being a power abuser.
Paul did not take unfair advantage of his role as an apostle. Of top priority to him, right alongside being a strong believer in the Scriptures, was being authentic.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the term authentic by suggesting three things “authentic” is not: It is not imaginary, it is not false, it is not an imitation. Today we would say that being authentic means not being phony . . . free of the standard hype that often accompanies public gatherings.
Let’s make this a priority! Surrounded by numerous religious types to whom everything is “fantastic,” “super,” and “incredible,” let’s work at being real. This means we are free to question, to admit failure or weakness, to confess wrong, to declare the truth. When a person is authentic, he or she does not have to win or always be in the top ten or make a big impression or look super-duper pious.
Authentic people usually enjoy life more than most. They don’t take themselves so seriously. They actually laugh and cry and think more freely because they have nothing to prove—no big image to protect, no role to play. They have no fear of being found out, because they’re not hiding anything. Let’s make the Bible our foundation. And as we apply its insights and guidelines, let’s also cultivate a style that is authentic. In doing so we’ll need to watch our attitude.
