When children play 'pretend': little girls in oversize high heels or little boys with wooden swords, we chuckle. Truth is, we are all guilty of playing ‘dress up’ even as adults. Unfortunately, we do the same in our relationship with God; we pray nice sounding religious words, hang out with ‘the boys’ on Friday night but put on our church face on Sunday. We hide behind masks trying hard to fit in with the crowd. Society may demand we conform but God encourages authenticity. He makes no copies and dares us to be different. 1 Peter 2:9
Rather than conforming to the world, we need to be our authentic selves. Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us Believers in Christ Jesus have put on a new self, formed in the image of God (Colossians 3:10). That means taking a stand for what we know is right and saying 'no' to the demands of our flesh. This is how we remain honest in what we portray to others of ourselves - revealing the good and genuinely putting to death the ‘not so good’. Jesus is our Example. Regardless of the pressure to conform to the establishment of His time, He always remained true to His character and mission as declared in John 6:38. This comes from knowing God’s will and doing it. Same is true for us. Ephesians 1:4 states “in Christ, we are chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him”: when we walk in the Spirit, we stand ‘not condemned’ (Romans 8:1);
If you seek God’s kingdom first and surrender to His will, you are changed into the person you were created to be, the best you, in the likeness of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 3:18); not a copy of someone you envy or look up to in society. This brings purpose and acceptance (1 John 3:22, Ephesians 1:6) and avoids the stress of performing and pretending, trying to please people who could care less. Guess what? Anyone who doesn't like it can take it up with God, your Maker!
As always, the first step to authenticity in Christ is asking Jesus into your heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 That means God no longer sees the old sinful person you are but rather locates you in Christ, filtered through the blood of Jesus. Boom! the One who you need to impress the most loves the ‘real’ you. And because you are 'in Christ', you are motivated to walk in the Spirit (choosing things that please God) and saying 'no' to the demands of the flesh (living for selfish pleasure). Romans 8:2; Romans 8:6 Reading His word daily and praying in the Spirit transforms your mindset and establishes new thought patterns, changing you from the inside out. Romans 12:2 Very soon, you reflect what you are in Christ. That is the real and authentic you. Who you were created to be. Can we agree with you in prayer? Please let us know. Like all God offers, it is free to you. Shalom!