In a world full of fakeness and superficiality, it can be
difficult to find authenticity. But as followers of Christ, we are called to
live in a way that is authentic and genuine. Today, we will be exploring what
it means to live authentically in Christ, based on Colossians 1:13-14. Let us
pray.
Redemption through Christ
The first step towards living authentically in Christ is to
understand our redemption through Him. Colossians 1:13-14 says, "He has
delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of
his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are no longer slaves to sin
and darkness, but we are set free to live a life that is pleasing to God. This
means that we don't have to pretend to be someone we're not, or try to hide our
faults and weaknesses. We can come to God just as we are, with all of our flaws
and imperfections, and He will accept us and forgive us.
Christ-centered Transformation
The second step towards living authentically in Christ is to
allow Him to transform us from the inside out. Colossians 1:13-14 also speaks
of our redemption through Christ, and how we are forgiven of our sins. But it
doesn't stop there. As we continue to walk with Him and grow in our faith, He
will transform us into the likeness of Christ. This means that we will start to
think and act like Him, and our lives will become a reflection of His
character. We don't have to fake it or try to be someone we're not. We can
trust in Christ to work in us and through us, and to help us live authentically
in Him.
Christ-centered Identity
The third and final step towards living authentically in
Christ is to understand our identity in Him. Colossians 1:13-14 says that we
have been transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son, which means that our
identity is now rooted in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past
mistakes, our accomplishments, or our possessions. Instead, our identity is
found in Christ and what He has done for us. This means that we can be
confident in who we are, and we don't have to try to be someone we're not in order
to impress others or fit in with the crowd. We can be authentic, genuine, and
true to ourselves, because our identity is secure in Christ.
Living authentically in Christ is not always easy. It
requires us to be vulnerable and honest about our struggles and weaknesses, and
to trust in Christ to transform us from the inside out. But as we continue to
walk with Him and grow in our faith, we will find that He is faithful to
complete the work He has begun in us. So let us embrace our redemption through
Christ, allow Him to transform us into His likeness, and find our identity in
Him. May we be authentic and genuine, and may our lives be a reflection of His
grace and love. Amen.