Be Authentic

Be Authentic!
Scripture: John 1:19-23
[19]Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
[20]He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
[21]They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
[22]Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
[23]John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”

Have you ever been concerned about individuals who claim to be what they are not? Maybe because they can perform certain things in unique ways then they have wanted to be in positions they don't belong to. I have seen a number of religious leaders try to take the position of God and have led many a stray. The sheep of God have worshiped men instead of worshiping God because the self proclaimed "gods" have taken the positions that ain't theirs at all.

In our scripture today, John the baptist is approached to tell his identity.  According to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, John equated to the expected Messiah, or Elijah or Moses. When he is prompted to tell whether he is one of these, he plainly states that he isn't any of those but just a voice of one calling in the wildernesses. He refused to be the other person or to take glory or a position that doesn't belong to him. He had the chance to accept such great names or titles but he remained authentic.

Christianity is about being authentic and not a copy of the other thing or person. We have to stay original and avoid competing with God no matter how mighty He is using our lives. We have to make the people be directed to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith and never direct the ship to ourselves. Christ Himself even though He was fully God but he didn't compete with God. He took the position of a servant and remained loyal and humbled to God even to the point of death. Let us be original and not a photocopy of what we are not.

Eliazar Wambo

Pastor and Director of Bethesda Faith Ministries