| It has been a long time – at least according to my limited memory – since we have had a January like this. Overnight temperatures in single digits on a regular basis, and it is not even supposed to reach 20 degrees until this weekend. And when was the last day we did not see at least a few snow flurries in the air? This is what I would call an “authentic winter.” But I am not here to complain, even though my morning walks have been “challenging.” I would not describe anything weather related that I have experienced this year as “brutal.” This is January in Michigan. It is supposed to be cold and snowy these days. We have had it pretty easy the past few winters, and there is something special about grabbing a sweatshirt and a blanket, sitting in front of a fire in the fireplace, and looking at the snow falling through the windows. And did I mention that I fired up the grill on our deck last weekend? AI tells me that the word authentic “describes something that is real and genuine.” What we are experiencing this month is how January in Michigan is supposed to be. Yes, the wind can be piercing at times. And, yes, there has been a fair share of “white knuckle” driving. However, since I am one who loves the four seasons, I think this will simply make Spring all the sweeter. In other words, I am going to enjoy this “authentic winter” for all it is worth (though you may want to check me on this if nothing has changed when we are a week into March!). Of course (or as I think you expect) I am not really here to talk about the weather. It is the word “authentic” that has my attention today. I considering a few different Bible passages that talk about what I would describe as “authentic Christianity.” My list is not meant to be exhaustive, and it is not necessarily expected that everyone will agree with my thoughts. In fact, I would rather that I simply get readers to spend some time in meditation and prayer on the subject and how it relates to them, personally. So let me throw a few passages your way: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2.8-10) “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1.15) “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.”(Romans 10.17) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12.2) “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2.3-4) “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”(John 14.6) “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6.8) Oops! I said “just a few,” got on a roll, and then had to force myself to stop at Seven! “Authentic Christianity” … through his Word God enlightens me to recognize both my need and the one who is able to meet that need, Jesus … generating (creating) faith in Jesus through that same powerful Word … and continually, still through that same Word of the Gospel, working at transforming my thoughts, words, and deeds … so that slowly but surely I start looking at life and death, people and all of creation, as he does … filling me with kindness and love, peace and confident hope … and my life with words and actions that seek to bring these same blessings to others … while also continually restoring me with his “never give up” attitude that assures me that even “if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” (2 Timothy 2.13) And then just let me close with one last word regarding our “confident hope”. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept I heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1.3-5) As this “authentic January” draws to its close, I pray you take a few moments to consider this “genuine and true” (authentic, that is) faith and life God is working in you through his Word made flesh, Jesus. |
Authentic
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