Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year 2023 – Authentic
This year’s words of the year should especially matter to Christ-followers. Merriam-Webster annually publishes words that define a particular year. Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year 2023 – Authentic. The top three words were Authentic, Rizz, and Deepfake. When you look at all three of those as a group, you will see similarities in meaning. Authentic relates to something that is real or genuine. In a contrasting way, Rizz and Deepfake relate to things that are not real or genuine. Rizz means “romantic appeal or charm,” and as a verb it means “to charm or seduce.” When you are charming or seducing, you are doing more than simply being authentic or genuine with another person. Likewise, Deepfake relates to AI, “an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said.” Again, the opposite of Authentic. Fascinatingly, the top three words that define 2023 relate to what is real/genuine or what is not.
As followers of Christ, we need to especially pay attention to these words. Why? Because the world around us is concerned about what is real or genuine / authentic. Who else is also concerned about that same thing? Christ-followers, of course! The world is concerned with and looking for exactly what we say we are concerned with and looking for in the beliefs and lifestyle of every Christian. In other words, if you live consistent as a Christlike person, you will uniquely stand out as authentic – which in this world will especially stand out. People were more interested in Authentic and related terms than any other in 2023.
Why is Authentic, or specifically Authenticity, important for the Christian?
Let me suggest four key reasons that Authenticity is important for the Christian.
1. Jesus said people will know you are Christians by your love and unity.
As Jesus prepared His closest disciples for his death in the upper room just hours before He was arrested, He highlighted two key ideas to them. He first said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). As He closed, in His prayer for the disciples, He prayed:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23)
Jesus emphasized love for one another and unity with one another as two key aspects of demonstrating genuine faith. Why? Because faith includes both of these components. A great part of the gospel of Jesus includes overcoming the selfishness of depravity. As we overcome depravity or walking in the flesh – as genuine and authentic followers of Jesus – we demonstrate an authenticity of the gospel.
2. The Apostle Paul insisted we walk worthy of our calling in Christ.
Writing in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul emphasizes walking consistently in Christ. He writes, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Notice how Paul connects a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ directly to the way we live. Christians are to walk worthy or consistent with the gospel. Essentially, Paul is saying to us, “Live authentically. Live genuinely as followers of Jesus.” He highlights the impact that authentic faith should make upon daily living – even down to our attitudes (humility, gentleness, longsuffering, forbearance, and keeping the unity of the faith.
3. Authenticity as a Christ-follower opens up the door for sharing one’s faith.
The Apostle Peter makes the connection between authenticity as a Christ-follower and sharing one’s faith. He writes, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Peter reminds us that we live in front of the world around us in such a way that even when they do not understand us, they can’t help but see that we are different.
Later in the same book, Peter writes:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:15-17).
Why would someone ask us about the hope that lies within us? Because we live authentic as Christ-followers.
4. The ultimate test for true faith is authenticity.
We learn this principle through two different Bible authors. First, Jesus’ half brother, James, emphasizes authenticity in two key areas. He challenges us not to be deceived by our own words versus our true faith (James 1:26-27; James 2:1-26). He writes, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:26-27). He follows this test question for authentic faith with emphasizing impartiality, living consistent with the faith, and the use of our tongues as evidence of true faith.
The Apostle John also challenges us to question whether or not we are true believers if we fail to love and forgive others (1 John 4:20-21). Essentially, John points to the lack of forgiveness and hate as evidence the faith one claims is illegitimate. In other words, if you hate another person and refuse to forgive, then how can you say that you love God. As Jesus said, John also emphasizes that love for each other is part and parcel authentic faith.
So, Christ-follower, Do Exactly That – Follow Christ Authentically
No one else should be more true, genuine, or authentic as to his or her true nature than the one who follows Jesus Christ. Our beliefs, attitudes, motivations, desires, feelings, words, and actions should all point to the exact same conclusion – this person is a genuine Christ-follower. The real deal. Proof positive. A firstfruit of God’s creature (James 1:18). A small taste of the redeemed world that we long for in the Spirit (Romans 8:18-25).
Here’s the question: what about you? Are you living this kind of life?
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