Authenticity versus Imitation

Authenticity versus Imitation
2 Peter 1:8-11
“For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.”
 Authenticity is proven by performance. On the shelf, there appears to be little difference between the authentic article and the cheap knockoff. They look and feel the same, making the two difficult to distinguish. However, when a person starts to put the article through the rigors of usage, the imitation is quickly revealed as the product falls apart.

The same is true in our Christian life. It is easy to have a superficial faith that outwardly appears genuine. We can go to church, sing hymns with gusto, and say all the right things. However, the true test of authenticity in our faith is how we live. In the previous verses, Peter encouraged his readers to cultivate the qualities of authentic faith in their lives. Yet, it is easy to give verbal consent to these qualities. The real measure of faith is revealed in the actions and attitudes we demonstrate in our daily behavior. Peter warns his readers that the qualities of godliness must be proven in the actions of our daily lives as we grow in our faith. Salvation is not an event; it is a process in which we begin to develop and mature in our relationship with Christ.

The tragedy is that many people say the prayer and affirm the confession of their faith but become stagnant in their spiritual growth.  They say all the right things and outwardly appear to be “good Christians,” but inwardly, there is no spiritual growth.  Instead of their faith transforming their attitudes, actions, and desires so that they are driven by a desire to reflect Christ and serve him, their faith and growth become stagnant.  But this is more than just a spiritual sickness that hinders growth.  It may be an indication that their faith is not genuine.  It is a spiritual knockoff that quickly crumbles when tested by adversity and circumstances.

For Peter, authentic faith is proven by our spiritual growth.  Thus, in verse ten, he challenges us to be diligent and intentional in allowing our faith to transform our lives completely.  The command “be all the more diligent” indicates a passionate sense of urgency.  In other words, we must maintain a high degree of intentionality in our Christian life. Peter further emphasizes this with the statement “to make certain.”  The term is a legal word that aims to produce a legal guarantee that something is genuine.  In a modern statement, we could paraphrase the concept as having our faith notarized as proof of its genuineness.  This does not mean that salvation is earned but that authentic salvation is transformational.  If your salvation is genuine, your faith will become the driving force in your life, and your desire will be for spiritual growth and transformation.  Paul points out that this is true because this transformation results from God’s work in our lives. In Philippians 2:13, we read that our spiritual growth results from God’s activity in us, giving us both the desire and the ability to be transformed in our faith.  

As we end 2024 and anticipate the arrival of 2025, we must do a spiritual health check to ensure our faith is genuine.  Have you grown in your faith this last year?  Is Christ’s character being increasingly revealed in your life?  Are you demonstrating greater love for people, including those you struggle with?  If not, start the year asking God to transform your life and attitudes so that you increasingly reflect Christ in all things.