Is Your Authentic Christianity Real Christianity?

Hypocrisy in the Church is a frequently referenced issue when Christianity receives criticism. And ya know what? It should be because there are hypocrites in the Church. But should this be surprising? Christians, as with all other people, will never be perfect. Mistakes will be made, and sins will be committed. No Christian, however, should be known as a person who lives a life defined by sin. Sadly, that’s what so many do in the name of authentic Christianity.

By no means should Christians be embracing their sin while claiming they are simply being their true selves. Unfortunately, there are people who do just that, and they give us all a bad name while being “authentic” Christians. Predictably, they make Jesus look bad, and they turn people away from Him. What if I told you that authentic Christianity had nothing to do with embracing sin and living your truth? That shouldn’t be a radical idea, but to many…it is.

When Authentic Christianity Becomes A Problem

Being authentic, or being real and genuine, is inarguably a good thing. Believers should be reliable and trustworthy people who others feel are shooting straight with them. But Christians had to take it one more step and turn something good into a dumpster fire.

Authenticity is being used as an excuse to sin and to accept others’ sin. Let’s say a young woman at church is known for gossiping and talking about other people behind their backs. (I know that such a woman is nearly impossible to imagine in a church setting, but give it the ol’ college try, OK?) When she is confronted about her sinful behavior she might respond with, “I’m just like this.”

The gossip lady might explain that she has always behaved this way and can’t stop herself. Besides, she’s just being real. “Ya’ll, I’m just living my truth.” Hmm. I wonder if she knows the idea of “my truth” is a lie because there can only be one truth. Well, discerning truth is a conversation for another day.

“Authentic Christianity” Teaches A False Christianity

We have such a draw towards being relevant and relatable that we’ve demoted a faithful, obedient Christian walk for a cultural Christianity that, at best, is lukewarm and easy to live. Sure, this looks approachable to the world, but we’re not of the world and are not meant to transform into it (Romans 12:2).

What am I saying about Jesus if the life I lead looks like everyone else’s? What kind of Christianity ignores God’s commands and normalizes sin? Am I inviting people to meet the Jesus from the Bible or some imagined version of Him? This brand of authentic Christianity turns Christ into some shiny bauble one can hang around her neck when she feels like it rather than the Savior who made a life-changing redemptive sacrifice that ultimately leads believers to having completely new lives.

Evidence Of Authentic Christianity

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Go ahead and be different than you were before you were saved. It’s not inauthentic and irrelevant to be different after salvation. It’s evidence of salvation! It doesn’t get much more authentic and relevant than that.

“Different” can mean a lot of things, though. I like to think of it as being a bit weird because, well, Christians look pretty weird compared to everyone else. Let’s look at some of the ways a believer can demonstrate her truly authentic Christianity.

What Does An Authentic Christian Look Like?

1. This person does not downplay Christ in order to fit into her environment.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

John 15:18-19

Someone living out genuine Christianity isn’t going to blend in. In fact, she might end up feeling like an outsider in some situations. Embrace it.

2. She shares her faith.

She gets extra points if she doesn’t hide behind “I think” statements, and rather boldly shares what Scripture says.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Mark 16:15

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Matthew 28:18-19

The gospel isn’t a secret that believers are supposed to closely guard. Proclaim it loudly for everyone to hear. It’s not just the “right” thing to do; Jesus commands it.

3. She is obedient to His Word.

This is not a call to perfection. Instead, it is a call to sanctification. Take one obedient step after another, and you can have victory over sin and become more like Christ.

Additionally, our obedience is our love for Christ in action. Don’t we love Him enough to obey Him?

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

John 14:15

4. This individual will display the Fruit of the Spirit.

You know the list from Galatians 5:22-23 – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

An authentic Christianity produces this fruit, and it will be evident in a Christian’s life. We can’t say for certain whether or not someone is truly born again. That is between God and the individual, but we definitely have some clues when we look at the fruit of a person’s life (Matthew 7:15-20; 12;33).

5. She doesn’t hold on to behaviors and thoughts she knows to be sin because “that’s just me.”

Authentic Christianity transforms a person. The Bible says we become a “new creature” when we are saved (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (emphasis mine)

Romans 12:1-2

If our bodies are supposed to be a living sacrifice, how is that going to jive with an attitude that rejects correction and change? I can’t be transformed and align my life with God’s will when I tell everyone to take me as I am because I’m not changing for anyone. “I’m gonna be me!”

I have bad news for the ladies who hope that tacking Jesus onto their sinful lifestyles makes them authentic Christians. Genuine faith changes people. You aren’t you any longer. You’re a child of God, clay in the Potter’s hands, born again… If you still love your sin, you need to examine yourself.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

6. She won’t make everyone feel comfortable all the time, and she won’t always feel comfortable either.

Don’t avoid discomfort, persecution, or suffering. Scripture tells us to rejoice in it when we suffer for Christ’s sake.

“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

1 Peter 4:13  

As for making others feel comfortable, you’ll need to use discernment. There is a time and a place for sharing the gospel. For instance, you might want to lay off if you witnessed to your sister a dozen times in the last two months. She heard you. Take some time to build that relationship and display Christ through that.

However, sometimes your very existence will offend. Take it in stride and continue to follow the Lord. Do you feel led to share the gospel with the woman scanning your groceries? Do it. Sure, she might be annoyed or angry, but the Good News doesn’t always sound so good to people.

Remember, God hasn’t called you to be comfortable.

Final Thought

Authentic Christianity is not being the sinful wretch you are without Christ while claiming Him as your Lord. The American Christian Church needs to stop believing the lie that we can reach people for Jesus by embracing our sin as authenticity and turning a blind eye to the sin of those around us. It’s no badge of honor to sin, so let’s not treat it as such.

We need to maintain the proper relationship with sin by turning away from it and confessing when we commit it. Moreover, we need to biblically correct our brothers and sisters in the Lord when they are in sin. And, without a doubt, we need to explain the severity and reality of sin when sharing the gospel with others. Rather than trying to fit in with the world, let’s show the world what a wonderful gift we’ve received through salvation by living as truly authentic Christians.

What do you think authentic Christianity looks like?

Image courtesy of Alexandra Fuller via Unsplash.