Authentic into the Community and the World - Rev Joel Yang

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲.

We live in a world where we often filter what we see and what we show others. The same can happen with our faith. A filtered faith is when we present a level of spirituality to others that may not reflect the full reality of our lives. We show our best and hide the parts that are not beautiful or wonderful. When we do this, we can unintentionally create a false image of Christianity that makes it difficult for others to relate to or follow.

So, how do we recognise a filtered faith and respond in a way that leads others towards God?

We need to move beyond being listeners of God's Word for information and become people who act on His Word. Simply hearing God's Word does not transform us. It is through obeying and putting His Word into practice, and relying on God's grace, that we take steps to align our lives with Him. Transformation happens when we allow God's Word to shape not only what we know, but also how we live.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be the light of the world and to point people to Jesus. This means being genuine and honest about our faith. We can share how we are growing, be vulnerable about the areas where we fall short, and testify to how we rely on God's Word and how He continues to work in and sustain us.

When we live this way, our lives can become a testimony that points beyond ourselves. People can see God's grace at work in us and be stirred to encounter the living God for themselves.

Ultimately, the goal is not for people to admire our Christianity, but for our lives to point them to Jesus, so that they too may know Him personally and choose to follow Him.