Authentic Christianity

Dear Foothills Family,

As we continue the teaching series on "Gifts of the Spirit," we will look together this week at "The Gift of Discernment—Distinguishing of Spirits.”

1 Timothy 4:1 quotes Paul's warning: "In later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." To avoid being deceived we need to understand and be living the Authentic Christian Faith. Authentic Christianity, as it relates to authentic humanity, is understood as the presence of God manifested within the human condition. We refer to the "incarnation" where the person Jesus Christ, truly God and truly human, exhibited a blended and unified reality (John 1:14). In the Christian view, salvation is the process of our human condition participating with the divine solution. The result of such a process is that we become fully human and truly godlike; converted, connected, and in communion with God. Authentic Christianity then is the existential reality of the Word becoming flesh within the context of the human predicament, offering a message of faith, a measure of hope, and a mandate to love. True Christianity is indeed the embodiment of Love, seeking out the hurting to help them heal. In substance: God is in Christ, in us, reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19) and "Christ in us is the hope of such glory." (Colossians 1:27).

Chip Ingram, founder of Living On The Edge, notes from his study of Romans 12 that there are 3 principles to grasp if we want to practice authentic Christianity. He says that according to Romans 12:

1. Authentic Christianity starts with an accurate picture of God—based on Jesus Christ who showed us God's limitless love for us and God's desire only to enjoy, heal and bless us in every imaginable good and perfect way! (1 John 3:1)

2. Authentic Christianity is not built on a structure of rules or religion. Transformation is not switching from the to-do list of the flesh to the to-do list of the law. When Paul replaces the list of "works" of the flesh, he does not replace it with the works of the law, but with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-22). See also: Mt. 22:37-39; Phil. 3:7-11.

3. Genuine, authentic Christians place an otherworldly value on relationships. The process of transformation in our heart is reflected in our relationships with God, the world, ourselves, other believers, and those who do not believe in the ways we do. (Romans 12).

The church today certainly needs to be able to discern truth and error, good and evil, right and wrong. Like King Solomon of old we can humbly ask God for discernment in spiritual matters. "Give your servant an understanding heart...that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"(1 Kings 3:9, NKJV).

With much love,

Duff