authenticity & integrity 3
Why - part 1
God desires integrity and authenticity because hypocrisy and hiddenness is dangerous. It exposes us to the judgment of GOD.
It makes us vulnerable to Spiritual attack. It damages relationships.
It undermines gospel witness in our lives.
Why - part 2
God desires integrity and authenticity because we were created for authenticity and integrity.
Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Genesis 3:7-10 "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, " I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
When God asks us a question it is not for his benefit?
God knows exactly where Adam and Eve are, and why they are hiding. God wants them to realise they have traded their reality for a lie.
Saying one thing on a Sunday and living out something different on a Monday is not only a barrier to the gospel in the lives of others' It become a barrier to the gospel in our own lives.
Tepid faith, that is neither hot nor cold, is not only unattractive to others, it is so boring for us – it is also exhausting. More importantly, it is mentally and emotionally damaging.
God is passionate about integrity and authenticity because God is passionate about us.
God may pull us up short through fear, but he wants us to walk in the good of his father's heart.
Why - part 3
If we can grasp God's motivation in making integrity and authenticity such a big issue, we can then ask another question of this passage.
Why did Ananias and Sapphira choose to lie? Why couldn't they tell the truth?
We probably have an abridged version of the whole conversation, but even in the abridged version we see that they had opportunity to be honest.
Maybe money was tight at home, maybe they had a child about to marry, maybe they were worried about retirement. Why on earth didn't they simply tell the truth?
And most importantly why don't we?
Well, we are not told – but we can make an educated guess, especially when we consider why we feel the need to hide the truth from our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are told that Barnabas sold a field. This was not just a financial transaction. A statement of identity.
For the people of God the land was part of their identity: to sell land for Barnabas is to declare that his identity as a Christian is no longer in the land.
My identity is not in my heritage, my identity is in the grace of God in Christ. Barnabas' action was a response to grace – he wasn't trying to impress. But the Apostles do praise him : he gets a new name.
Did Ananias and Sapphira want to make a name for themselves? Did they want people to think well of them?
Was their lie based on a fear that they weren't really accepted by God or by others?
Hear me – I am not judging them, because I can hide the truth, I can lie for exactly the same reason.
Hang on Simon – you're an elder – surely you never lie!
What about when someone asks how I am - and I say fine, even when I am not.
What about when someone asks me about my prayer life, my bible reading, my struggles with temptation? Do I tell the truth, or do I answer in a way that protects their view of me?
Growing as an Authentic Community
Be honest with God – especially in worship. Choose holiness not performance.
Take relational risks and build real friendship.
Be honest when you get it wrong – and do it quickly.
