authentic - what does that mean?

dictionary.com's definition of authentic is: not false or copied; genuine; real

In regards to the christian faith, what we mean when we say authentic is to be real, to be honest about who we are. Real enough to say that, "life isn't perfect" that we have struggles, difficulties, temptations, and to be honest enough about those things to admit them. To lay them out on the table and say, "Here am I broken and weak." That is part of being an authentic christian.

The other part is to be like the original, the genuine, the first. Since Jesus Christ is God's own Son whom He sent to this earth to live perfectly. So that, He could be the perfect sacrifice on the cross, to pay the debt for the sins of the world. Since, Jesus did that He is our example...He is the original, the genuine. Then that is who we follow! Being an authentic christian is striving to become more like the original. That is the goal, that is what we desire to become more like. However we need to know that along the way we will stumble and fall, because of our imperfection. Romans 3:23 - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." But by no means do we settle for that.

Unfortunately we have been taught or have gotten the perception that "christians" don't have problems...or we have bought the lie that if you have enough faith then you won't have problems. How far from the truth that really is! Think about it. Jesus' life wasn't easy, why do we think it should be easy for us? Why do we even pretend that we don't have problems. We come to church, put on our "nice" clothes, and our smiling faces...Why? If that is a picture of our lives, then we don't need church. If we have it all figured out, then why would we come to a place to be built up, encouraged, and to learn, if we already have it all figured out?

Let's stop pretending...Let's lay it all down and say, "here I am", I have struggles in my life, difficulties, trials, temptations, weaknesses, hardships, and failures. I am not afraid to bare them...to lay them down at the cross. Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." We are to share our burdens and up hold eachother in prayer. Together we take our burdens to Christ. Oh, and if you keep reading verse 3 says, "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Let's be Real!