This topic has come up in several conversations in the past week- and each time was mentioned first by the other person. (Looks like God may be trying to tell me something.) Yes, I know "Real" is much of the subtitle of this blog, but one person earlier today didn't even know my name, let alone about this site.
So here's the million dollar question:
Why is being real as a Christian so difficult and radical?
Well, our sin nature likes to hide for starters. Remember the first thing Adam and Eve did after they sinned? The covered up their bodies. And when they later heard God walking in the cool of the day, they hid amongst the trees. Genesis 3:7-8. Sin likes us to hide who we were created by God to be. Now don't get me wrong- we still live in a sin filled world, and keeping plenty of clothing is a must! But as humans we have taken this hiding to a whole new - unhealthy - level.
We hide the way we think and feel, what's right and wrong, not only from others but often from ourselves. Have you ever been brutally honest with yourself asking God to reveal to you your own heart? Psalm 139:23 You might be surprised.
This is an excellent time, however, to make a very important point: Being real does not mean being rude. Rude is just another way to hide the insecurities of real. Besides, Jesus told us that we would be proven His disciples by the love we have for one another, not the harshness. John 13:35 In fact, I tend to think that being real does not create an empowering feeling, but one of humility, for one must be honest with self and God just as much if not more than with others.
So how do we be real?
Where does the fine line of tough love and merciful truth take us? This is what we are discovering day by day. How about you?
As I ask myself these questions, there is an image that come to mind. It's not one of a pristine church... clean, smiling people... or a well ordered worship guide...
After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!
Revelation 7:9-10
After all, that's what counts.
No comments:
Post a Comment