While authenticity is a big buzz word in our culture right now, most of us aren’t authentic enough to admit that being authentic is just too costly.

Since our church started almost 3 years ago, being an authentic church has always been a big part of our vision. Being a church where we don’t pretend to be anything that we’re not, where we can confess the things we’re struggling with, own the hurts that we carry around, work through conflict in love - we’ve banged on that drum quite a bit.

But I’m realizing now that it truly doesn’t make sense -- from a human perspective -- to be authentic.

It’s too costly.

It’s easier to pretend we’re authentic by sharing the stuff we’re slightly uncomfortable with, while holding onto that stuff we’re more embarrassed or ashamed of.

It’s easier to point the finger at others’ who we deem “phony” and use their lack of sincerity as a reason to keep our own guards up (“I can’t be myself around them!”)

Because being authentic is just too costly.

It’s almost inevitable that we will lose respect from some people when they find out what we struggle with.

Friends may be mad at us when we express our disappointment with them.

We may even lose a position of authority or influence when we are deemed unqualified for certain responsibilities.

That’s the bad news.

So how do we address this bad news?

We have two choices:

1. The Safe Route - Don’t Be Authentic.
Be only as authentic as we need to be in order for people to think we’re authentic and admire us for our authenticity. Keep the self-protective patterns going. Keep the walls up. Let people in only so much that we can still control their perceptions of us.

That will ensure that we don’t lose.

But we won’t win, either.

That comes only with the 2nd choice

2. Walk in the Freedom That Jesus Purchased For Us.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Galatia that "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

Because of Jesus, we’ve been free from having to maintain our reputation. We’ve been free from having to be accepted by everyone. We’ve been free from having to be respected by certain people all the time. We’ve been free from having to cling to a role or position or level of status.

We’ve been free to endure the costs of whatever authenticity leads to…….

…..because we’ve gained so much in Jesus.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Jesus in Matthew 13:44).

Jesus is that treasure. And he’s worth everything that it costs us.

Including the costs of authenticity.

The pastor who has a secret problem with alcohol needs to be honest about it. But it may cost him his his position. What is worth more than his position? Jesus, and the joy of knowing him intimately.

The woman who is hurt by her best friend should be honest and tell her. But she worries she might come off “overly-sensitive, a sissy.” What is worth more than her friend’s respect? Only Jesus, and the peace of knowing she’s adored by Him.

The man who just made a major mistake at his job is tempted to lie to his boss about it, out of fear he could be fired. What is worth more than his job security? Jesus, and his promise to work all things together for our good.

So the question is not, “Do you want to be authentic?” We all do. 

The question is, “Is Jesus your ultimate treasure?” If he is, then you’re free to hold loosely to the things that authenticity may cost you.

And free to enjoy the freedom of authenticity.