Are you an Authentic Christian?

Recently I have been pondering about what makes a person authentic and real. We live in an age where there is so much hype. So much show. So much putting on masks because people may not like the real us or because we are expected to be or act a certain way. Just the other day I was involved in a situation where the authenticity of my faith and my calling were called into question. So once again I had to do some soul searching. Here is what I found. From the American Heritage Dictionary au•then•tic adj. Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief: an authentic account by an eyewitness. Having a claimed and verifiable origin or authorship; not counterfeit or copied: an authentic medieval sword. Law Executed with due process: an authentic deed. Music Of, relating to, or being a medieval mode having a range from its final tone to the octave above it. Of, relating to, or being a cadence with the dominant chord immediately preceding the tonic chord. Obsolete Authoritative In dealing with authentic people the second definition applies. So am I authentic in my faith and calling? My origin of authorship is not within me. Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith. He began it, He is working it out in and through me, and He will be the one that finishes it. As long as we keep our eyes upon Him, and our trust in Him, then we are authentic. It is when we rely upon our own self righteousness, our own abilities, our own talents, that we then become a fake. Is my calling authentic? Since we are not called due to our greatness, our worthiness, our special status with God, but by the grace of God, then again the question is not about us but Him. Paul said he was called to be an apostle BY the grace of God. He also writes that God chooses the foolishness of this world to confound the wise. Along with the principle that when we are weak then He is strong. It is not about how good, how righteous, how impressive we are, it is about how good, how righteous, and how awesome God is. He is the one who enables us to minister to people. So what is an authentic believer? Someone who has a real and personal relationship that is wholly dependant on Christ alone. Isn't it time to drop the hype, the show, the masks and just trust in the work of Christ, not only at the cross 2000 years ago, but trust in the work of Christ in us today? If we cannot believe that He is able to work in and through us, despite of our human failings today, how can we ever believe that He will get us to heaven? Come and journey with me as we learn once again how to be transparent and authentic in our walk with Jesus. I post daily articles and insights, along with getting down right honest about my struggles in life at www.taberstruths.com Together we can all learn how to be more authentic.