It started with the best of intentions.  Authenticity.  The mantra in many of our congregations has became “be who you are”.  On many occasions I have have even publicly said, “If you think the church is full of hypocrites, you are correct, I am one myself.”  The intention was noble on my part.  We don’t want to portray ourselves as something we aren’t.  We don’t want to pretend to be someone we are not.  That’s all good right?  Well, yes it is.  However, maybe this pendulum has swung a little too far.  I believe we might have elevated authenticity to the level of a virtue.  It’s not a virtue, although I guess one could compare it to being honest or truthful.  For comparison sake, let’s say that authenticity is being honest with your life.  That sounds so good and right.  But, what if the truthful life we are living is contrary to God’s Word?  What if we are authentically living a life that is contrary to God’s standard?  Over the last several years, I have heard more and more, “at least I’m not fake”, or “I am the same person all the time”.  The basic premise behind the statements are an acceptance of a sinful behavior, but justifying it because it’s not done privately.  Once again, on the surface these sound right.  But, what if we are allowing each other to live a lower standard simply because we are doing it authentically?  Aren’t we called to “iron sharpens iron” each other?  Aren’t we called to be fruit inspectors?  Aren’t we called personally to become more like Christ?  The answer to those last three questions is an emphatic “YES”.

Here’s an idea going forward:  Let’s continue to be authentic with each other.  But, let’s not make that the top priority.  Let’s admit that we have sinfulness in our lives that needs to be brought under Lordship.  Someone can authentically be a jerk, but that still doesn’t justify the behavior.  I’d say to that person, “Thanks for being who you are, and not being fake, but the “who you are” is not acceptable”.  The top priority is not authenticity, but rather becoming more like Christ.

God help us to not be fake, but at the same time grow.  Help us to never accept a lowered standard simply because it fits “who we are”.  God help us own “who we are” in our successes and our failures.  Help us to be most authentic in our fight for Holiness.