GodReflection: Power Words

Authentic is a familiar word.

Like you—I want the money I receive to be authentic. I want genuine friends. I want an authentic God.

As a fan of television’s Antique Roadshow, I find its draw to be the search for the authentic. Treasure holders cannot conceal the disappointment of their prize possession turning into a fake.

I too want to be authentic.

Authentic is a word powered by the authenticity of Creator God. There is nothing fake about Him. His desire since Eden is to have authentic relationship with humans designed and created in His likeness.

Satan messed with the Garden and spoiled the relationship.

God restored authenticity with his creation by the sacrificial gift of Jesus. What happened on the cross, in the grave, and in the resurrection made it possible to restore the authentic.

Just as I want an authentic God, He wants an authentic me.

God killed two of the first members of the Jerusalem church for their lack of authenticity. They gave a partial gift from the sale of a piece of land declaring to the church that the gift represented the entire price. It sounds to me like God expects the authentic.

The problem with authentic me is warts and sin. In reality, it is a strange way of thinking to want to hide my warts already known by God and those who know me. Being less than authentic obstructs my relationship with God and my fellowman.

The blood of Jesus makes possible the authentic me. I don’t have to pretend I am anything other than “wart covered” me. That leaves me free to follow Jesus to the best of my limited ability while depending on his blood to cover the warts.

Authentic means I don’t have to pretend.

Twice it was my privileged to enjoy a day boat tour on the Amazon River. One of the great sites of the planet is to witness the span of the Amazon where the light sandy Rio Solimoes runs parallel to the Rio Negro. The latter being the color of a dark strong—almost black—tea.

Due to their difference in content, speed of flow, and temperature, they move side by side as two separate rivers for 3.7 miles until they join as one in the mighty Amazon.

The meeting of the waters provides a wonderful symbol for the authentic. Authenticity flows from my weakness meeting God’s strength.

Authentic is a power word that reminds me of whose I am and of the expectation of the one I follow. My prayer is that as disciples we learn to live from the power of the authentic.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Power Words.

Gary@GodReflection.org