My husband LOVES social media! (this will come as no shock to those who know my husband) I mean if need for evidence, he even documented our entire engagement step by step on Facebook 7 years ago.
In our family, we have a little inside joke of describing moments as being "INSTA-worthy." An INSTA-worthy moment is a moment - a meal, a story, a picture, etc - that is approved for social media. It is subjective to the one posting. To some people, it can be good, bad, and sometimes embarrassing. To others, it will follow suit with a pristine, flawless life. For years, in my typical (and in some cases, shameful) sarcastic form of communication - I would often say to my husband - "Im so sorry this _______ was not INSTA-worthy."
You may have laughed, or judged, or even felt a little similarity in the "INSTA-worthy" life, but each of you have a INST-worthy perspective. Whichever perspective we display on our individual Social Media (or - if I can be so bold - in life), this perspective portrays ourselves to the world around us. This can give roots to jealousy, shame, depression, hypocrisy, and in some cases: motivation, encouragement, accountability, prayer, and help.
Social media can be viewed as incredibly positive, or treacherously negative.
Faith, like Social Media, is also a choice of perspective. One which can be positive or treacherously negative. Our faith can be lived out in two different ways: Transparently human or supernaturally perfect.
Today, I want to share with you what God has impressed on my heart with living my life with an Authentic Faith.
I am human.
I am flawed.
I am loved.
I was saved.
Saved by grace.
I am still human.
I'm still flawed.
I am still loved.
I am still saved.
Steven James, one of my favorite authors wrote a book entitled "Becoming Real" which I read years ago. It changed my outlook on caring what people thought of me. I've gone on to read many of his books (not all faith base, but definitely infused with his belief in God). In one of his books, How to Smell Like God, he states:
The gifts of the Master are these: freedom, life, hope, new direction, transformation, and intimacy with God. If the cross was the end of the story, we would have no hope. But the cross isn't the end. Jesus didn't escape from death; he conquered it and opened the way to heaven for all who will dare to believe. The truth of this moment, if we let it sweep over us, is stunning. It means Jesus really is who he claimed to be, we are really as lost as he said we are, and he really is the only way for us to intimately and spiritually connect with God again.
I accepted God's gift of Salvation by Faith. And because of God's incredible gift of salvation, I have the incredible privilege of stepping out of each mistake - forgiven, and into each moment with His power to change.
I don't have to hide my struggles.
I don't have to pretend to be perfect.
I can be authentic: flaws and all.
Living life in Authentic Faith is a daily realization that Christ died on the cross to offer a bridge. To narrow the gap. To connect the divide between my immorality and God's perfection. Authentic Faith creates a repentant heart and a genuine effort to become Christlike.
Living life in Authentic Faith allows me to walk in relationship with God today without the weight of yesterday on my shoulders. To learn from Him. To hear the convictions and passions He desires to give me. To obey where He asks to use me. To live free of the clutter and haze of my past.
Living life in Authentic Faith is not walking thru life as though I have figured it all out. It is not a pivotal shift of salvation that wipes my slate clear of any future immorality. Authentic Faith resulted from God's gift of salvation, which freed me from my sin and shame, and empowers me daily to walk with God, regardless of the iniquities of my flesh. That gift, that freedom, that power enables me to overcome.
Living life in Authentic Faith is real living - where the world around me sees my flaws. Witnesses my human nature. But also has a front row seat to the transforming power of my Father as they see my life change.
Authentic Faith allows us to experience Jesus in 3 ways:
THE WAY. Christ's death gives us a bridge and the privelage of his presence on the journey to becoming Christlike. God is too perfect to share space with depravity, but Christ's death "covered a multitude of sins" and created that space for us to share. He separated us from our sin - allowing us to step into the presence and power of God. To proceed in our lives with Him along side. Salvation is immediate, at the point of belief - inviting us to live by Authentic Faith. Becoming Christlike, however, is a process - by which we endure through Authentic Faith.
THE TRUTH. Christ saved us by grace "while we were still sinners." But living by Authentic Faith allows us to see ourselves and our corruption as two separate entities. This view is what allows us to "cast off our old selves" and take on the new characteristics of the Holy Spirit. We can step into a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Christ walks along side us and reveals truth in the journey. Truth that comes in the form of affirmation, rebuke, discipline and conviction. Truth that transforms.
THE LIFE. Our flesh (human nature) gives us a BIOS (greek) life: temporary, physical. God created us for a ZŌÉ (greek) life: Lasting, deep and full. Authentic Faith is a way of life in which we can work through the muck of our lives, the struggles of our sin, the process of our submission while experiencing a full and deep spiritual life. Our BIOS life is sustained by us and subject to circumstances we encounter. Our ZŌÉ life is given by and sustained by God, emotionally unmoved by our circumstances. Lisa TerKeurst wrote in her Finding I Am study:
The enemy of our soul strategizes day and night to get us to settle for Bios life so we will never taste the hell-shattering fullness of Zoe.
God loves us in our imperfection.
He saves us as sinners.
He walks with us while flawed.
He covers us in grace each time we stumble.
Authentic Faith allows us to live transparent because we see that our flesh is part of the story. And our transparency may just create the space our neighbors need to believe they too are forgivable and loved. That salvation is possible for them as well.
Hypocrisy is rampant in our world, but not just because of our sin. Not just because of our immorality. It is significantly because of our pride. Pride tells us to hide our struggles, put on a brave face and "fake it til we make it" so we can assume the role of Christlike. Humility allows for Authentic Faith that accepts our struggles, asks for help and forgiveness and lives each day to become more Christlike.
None are perfect but God. Not before salvation or after.
We all need a Savior. Before salvation and each day after.
We each carry struggles. Before salvation and after.
BUT - because of Christ's death, after we accept God's grace, we are invited into Authentic Faith - where we are loved and rescued just as we are, and free to admit our flaws because we walk with the one who has the power to forgive us and change us.
A life of faith does not have to be INSTA-worthy to be used for His glory - in fact, he fully intends to use the weakness in our lives to display His power. If you hide all your weakness you regrettably deny yourself and those around you to see God move through your life.
I can't help but wonder what would happen in the world around us if we embraced our flaws and lived as true on Social Media and in the world as we do behind the closed doors of our homes.
I believe that if we chose to live authentic --- those who can't see past their flaws, can understand that Christ's love is not dependent on them being flawless. And His power is not hindered in our weakness.
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