An Authentic Gospel in an Artificial World
What’s the difference between authentic and artificial? Is it the same as religion versus Christianity? And how do we share an authentic gospel in an artificial world?
The Lord has spoken to my heart many times about being authentic. Like this:
The young woman moved her chair closer to the table as her eyes widened. The crowded coffee shop had not deterred her from being open and honest.
Now, it was my turn to share about life struggles and faith. She tried to conceal her surprised expression, “I thought you wouldn’t understand, Karen.” The Lord used our stories to spur one another on in the faith. Not only through me too, but also in this is how Jesus helped me overcome.
Authentic versus Artificial
An authentic voice helps others and holds the power to heal us.
When we authentically share our story, our dreams, our soul-wounds, our heart-cries, and even our faith-struggles, something powerful happens.
When we authentically share our story, our dreams, our soul-wounds, our heart-cries, and even our faith-struggles, something powerful happens. Click To TweetYou see, I not only want to have an authentic voice when I write, blog, and speak; but also possess authenticity in simply doing life. So, this would include my relationships, spiritual walk, how I interact on social media, and every detail about life itself.
In short, I desire to be an authentic person.
For example, I noticed over the years in church, ladies, and student ministry, that being the real me and sharing real-life experiences, put others at ease. It made me relatable.
What Authentic is and What it’s Not
Authentic doesn’t pretend I’m something I’m not, it’s never fake.
It doesn’t say everything is OK when it’s anything but OK.
It’s real on social media.
And authentic shares our life story and Jesus story with truth and grace.
Authentic doesn’t pretend I’m something I’m not. It doesn’t say everything is OK when it’s anything but OK. It's real on social media. Authentic shares our life story and Jesus story with truth and grace. Click To Tweet
However. I’m not suggesting that using resources of artificial intelligence, like AI and ChatGPT, is not acceptable. I know people who use them to help with speech writing, digital media, and other areas of their life and work.
But it’s not my thing for the areas I mentioned above including this blog. Still, our current and future state of the world seems less promising and on shaky ground more than ever before.
Because at some point, this level of artificial innovation makes us lose who we are and who God created us to be. It has the capacity to take over our lives.
Authentic God, Authentic Gospel
God is an authentic God. The only true God. God’s story is authentically written on the pages of the Bible. His-story recounts the most beautiful love story ever written. And it’s a real story told through the ages with truth and grace.
We have an authentic gospel living in us and to share with others.
People are born broken and sinners. We need a Savior. God sent the Messiah, His Son, to live a sinless life and take our place by dying an innocent death on a cross. Jesus saves. His bloodshed covers our sins and redeems us. Christ rose from the dead to offer us real hope of a better life. Accepting Him as Lord gives us both eternal life and abundant life.
Jesus came as truth and grace. Look at John chapter 1 in the ESV:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (verse1). “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth” (verse 14). “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (verse 17).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)
Authentic Gospel Versus Artificial World
I pray to be an authentic disciple of Jesus and this is true of me, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (ESV)
We can be brave in Christ through authenticity. It draws others in to our realness in the midst of an artificial world—those wayward souls who do not know Jesus and those in the faith who have lost their way.
God is an authentic God. His people have an authentic gospel living inside us to share in a world full of artificial things. Click To Tweet
How can you be authentic and share the authentic gospel?
Last week’s post, 3 Major Ways to Know God is on the Move.
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Great message Karen. There are so many artificial things all around us so it is important to stay steeped in the truth in the word of God.
Yvonne, it’s always been important, but now more than ever. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)
God bless!
Wow, Karen, this was a powerful and timely message! Everywhere we turn, there is something made by machines. But our God is a God of life and we are born again of His living Spirit. May we reach the world with His real, life-changing gospel message!
Thank you, Melissa, I love how you said, “our God is a God of life and we are born again of His living Spirit.” Hallelujah! It’s really getting concerning to think about all the artificial intelligence that is seemingly taking over so many things in our culture and world. We can be brave in Christ through authenticity. It draws others in to our realness in the midst of an artificial world—those wayward souls who do not know Jesus and those in the faith who have lost their way. God bless!
I’m not sure exactly when so many of us lost that desire to be real and transparent. Too often we say we’re fine; we feel like we have to be perfect and have perfect lives or it reflects badly on God. We need to remember that He’s here for the sinners, for the wounded, and those yearning to know an authentic person who’s walked where they walk and can help them along the way. Thanks, Karen. God bless!
Yes, Nancy. I think much of this lost of authentic comes from our own insecurities, the pressure on social media when we play the comparison game, and it’s definitely a tactic of the enemy. I’m grateful to be in a place of being me and knowing who I am in Christ. That’s the best path to my own healing and to helps others who come after me. God bless!
The Bible shows us how to live authentically with God, and that’s the example we need to follow. People know when we are being honest and transparent with them; they won’t grow in or grow closer to God if we are pretending to have a more perfect life than they do.
For all have sinned and fallen short of God’s goals for us. We need to give such examples to others about God’s saving grace in our troubled existence to witness to His love and mercy.
Blessings, Karen!
True words and beautfully said, Martha. I’ve grown in this area of authenticity and transparency and vulnerability over the years so others didn’t falsely see me as having it all together. Because none of us have it all together. It’s Jesus who transforms us into His image-He’s the one who has it all together. We need Him more and more every day. God bless!
The power of prayer
Prayer is powerful because of those who listen, not because of those who speak or what they say. You have the opportunity to pray to your Father, the mighty God who wants you to embrace His love today.
Prayer to God begins by addressing “our Father who art in heaven.” A Father who holds all power and authority. A Father who loves you immensely. Unlike earthly fathers, our heavenly Father loves us perfectly; Jesus’ hands, pierced by nails, prove the depth of His love for us.
In this passage, Christ teaches us how to draw near to our loving Father in prayer: fixing our eyes on His eternal kingdom, not on our temporal kingdom. He tells us to go to God, not the world, with our daily needs. Jesus shows us how to let go of the weight of sin and unforgiveness. He encourages us to let ourselves be controlled by the power of God rather than the power of evil.
The “Our Father” prayer invites God’s influence to take root in us, guiding our hearts into a right relationship with the Lord and receiving His authority in our lives, while rejecting worldly influence.
Don’t run away from him. Seek Him in prayer, allowing Him to guide you and carry your burdens. He may not work in ways that you fully understand, but you will walk easier knowing that He hears you and is fighting for you.
David, I always enjoy praying that prayer and how the beginning also says, Hallowed (or holy) is your name. When we recognize who God is and His holiness, our heart and spirit is in more in tune with His will. God is an authentic God. His people have an authentic gospel living inside us to share in a world full of artificial things.
Ah, to be our authentic self in an artificial world. Has there been wiser words spoken in our lifetime? It seems the world places value on the artificial, the contrived, it’s about what you can get over on someone else. God’s people should focus more on showing how we’re different. Not better, different. We should place value on living the example His Son gave us. In doing so, we point people to Him. We live out His gospel message. We can only be effective in doing that when we live authentic lives. Wisdom shared my friend. Thank you!
I like that thought, J.D., God’s people are different, not better. Oh, to look to our example in Christ, modeling His life with only authenticity and transparency to those around Him. And Jesus always pointed to the heavenly Father. May we do the same! God bless!
I am thankful that although there are false teachings in this world, we can always rely on and trust in God’s Word. Have a blessed day! 🙂
We sure can, Melissa. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (ESV)
YES! I’ve learned how important it is to be vulnerable and authentic. I used to keep the “real me” closed off, but once I started sharing authentically, God began to use me in mighty ways to reach others. I find great comfort in using my past hardships to help others.
That’s great, Jessica. I used to think people wouldn’t like the real me. But I was wrong, people don’t like pretense. Our struggles really do open up opportunities to connect on a deeper level with others.
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