Real

Why do we as Christians think we need to hide things from each other, from outsiders and in our heads from God? It’s like, if we don’t say it, it isn’t true so we are holy. If we let our sin out, then everyone will know that we aren’t what we say we are, so then the name of Jesus will be tainted, so lets talk a good talk and then we can fool them all.

Well, guess what? Everyone already knows that we aren’t what we claim to be. They are just sitting back waiting on us to realize it. I think those outside of the church, sit around and laugh at how we try to make ourselves “look” like followers of Jesus. We are so not what we think we are, and if we would just admit that, I think the walls of most churches wouldn’t be able to contain the number of people who would come in to a church that was honest about itself, its people and it’s past.

I have found that most people who aren’t believers would be believers if it was simply about Jesus. Instead those trying to “impress” them with what it looks like to be a Christian get in the way. When I am real with people, they are real with me. When I confess my sin to them, they confess their sin to me, and when I have done that, then they are far more willing to take a look at Jesus. When I play the “holy” game, well they play it right back…calling us hypocrites, maybe even white washed tombs; sound familiar. In the end, it is realness that people want form us, not a game of hide and seek. They already know who we are, people just like them. The sad thing is that we don’t always know who we are.


We have lost our way. Jesus didn’t go to those who looked good on the outside. He didn’t entertain a crowd to get them to follow Him. He went and sat at a well with a woman that no one else would give the time of day. He asked a man who was lame for 38 years a question, I am sure no one else ever even took the time to acknowledge this man, but Jesus took the time to ask Him something about Himself. He didn’t go out to make a name for Himself, and when He was going to be dragged in to be king, he avoided the crowd. He loved people no one else loved, he forgave people no one else would forgive, and he walked with people no one else would allow themselves to walk with. He loved.

If we would start living out what we say we are, instead of pretending we are what we are not, then we wouldn’t have to put on a show to draw unchurched. If we were real, they would be real. If we loved one another, then we would be able to show every that we are true followers of Jesus.

This is how they will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35