Sometimes we must wonder what has happened to us as a people. It has become difficult to determine in many cases what is fake and what is authentic. Authentic news reports can be given by reliable sources, but there are influential people who can convince a multitude of folk that it is fake news. We have even reached a point where it is difficult to determine fake jewelry from the real thing. The jewelry you received from your love one this Christmas may be fake (LOL). This is nothing new because we have heard of original expensive pieces of art being replicated by fake paintings.
The reason I use this word today is because Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is authentic. Authentic according to Webster dictionary has a number of meanings including “not false or imitation. It can also mean genuine, bona fide, being actually what is claimed.
We must admit that distinguishing between what is real and fake has become difficult in many areas. The danger is that there seems to be more and more claims of fake everything. Our paper money has become more difficult to determine if it is authentic or fake. We continue to hear more about artificial intelligence and how it is impacting fake videos, contracts, academic honesty, and many other subjects. Even Elon Musk said, “people should be more authentic on social media.” If not, we may find ourselves on a dangerous path into the future.
There is a word, deepfake, which can give an image for a recording that has been altered in such a way that it is convincingly altered to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said. Think about that for a moment. Technology can alter our information in such a way that it is hard to determine if it is authentic or fake.
Let our emphasis this morning be on authentic people. Don’t you just love people that are everything they project themselves to be. There are no pretentions or manipulated actions that causes us to live a lie.
An authentic person should from time to time speak to themselves by reflecting on Psalm 139: 23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that disappoints you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
One of the most disappointing features of a professed Christian is one who acts like a Christian, talks like a Christian, walks like a Christian or even looks like a Christian, but is a fake. Fake people hide their true intentions to take advantage of others. It seems as if many professions are now trying to take advantage of others, especially the elderly, women and children.
One of the most deceiving stories I have heard this year was that of George Santos, Member of the U. S. House of Representatives from New York’s 3rd district. Congressman George Santos was charged with fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, false statements and the list goes on and on. I guess we could say he was authentic in his wrong doings or could be classified as inauthentic. We would hope our leaders would be people of integrity, we wish.
Ephesians 4: 25 tells us: “Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.”
Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
What we must remember is that those who are seeking God are looking for the real deal, not phony religion or hypocrites. God is calling us to be authentic and transparent in our faith so that we might be true representatives of Christ. When we are transparent about our struggles, our weaknesses, our mistakes, failures, etc., people are more attracted to us and to God.
May we put forth a concerted effort in 2024 to be authentic in all aspects of our lives. If we are going to be a friend, be an authentic friend. If we are going to be a Christian, be an authentic Christian. May we live a life that will be pleasing unto God so that he might be glorified. If the world is going to be a better place, authenticity will play a critical role.
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
