AUTHENTICITY

I was Just Thinking About – AUTHENTICITY.

The contemporary culture seems to be having more and more difficulty when it comes to dealing with truth and reality. Currently, we live in a society where “News Reports” have been deemed to be “Fake News.” If “News” agrees with a person’s point of view, then it is accepted as “real News.” Otherwise, it is disparaged as being “fake news.”

The greater concern for the Biblical Christian needs to be in the area of the content being proclaimed as God’s Word. If “Christianity” is the major religion in the United States, why has there not been a uniform outrage in terms of Abortion? Why has the “Christian Community” been conflicted about this subject for 45 years? Why is the misinterpretation of Scripture tolerated in any discussion of when life begins in the womb? Whatever happened to a logical conclusion been drawn from passages such as Jeremiah 1:4-5, “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”? Whatever happened to the principle stated in Proverbs 31:8 (NIV), “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…”? What is the only conclusion that should be drawn from David’s words about the Lord and human life recorded in Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT), “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed”?

This same principle applies to how one receives the Holy Scriptures. Are they received as authoritative (inspired by God) and authentic (men wrote as they were guided by the Holy Spirit)? The Apostle Paul was clear in his understanding and teaching - First Thessalonians 2:13, “We also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” In Luke 1:1-4, there is a clarifying assertion written by Luke to Theophilus, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

What is the expected outcome in a person’s life as they receive Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, and His Word to be authoritative? At the very least, those who claim to be His followers and Biblical Christians must live authentic lives within their culture. John 8:32 is foundational for one’s life, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” For you personally, do you know The Truth? Has it set you free? Within the lifestyle of the Biblical Christian, Romans 12:9 states the expected and required behavior, “Let (your) love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Are these Biblical attributes consistently evident in your life? The Amplified Bible expresses this verse: “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.” In the MSG, “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.” Are you an authentic Biblical Christian – the real thing?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.