How real is real

How real is real.

There is a ton of talk in Christian circles about being real… I am all for that. To be anything less or try to be something more is to me being hypocritical. I often have seen this in a typical service… I have found two types of people.

• “How are you doing?”

“Fine.” They say with the thought bubble above them saying, “my life is a living Hell and I am at the end of my rope!!!! HELP!”

• “How are you?”

“My dog died, my cat had puppies, my kids look like the neighbor and I am fat and stupid and have no friends.”



Both are a result of not being real. This is often fostered by the theology taught at these churches.

1.Prosperity/ Word of Faith even in its mildest forms.
2.Legalism trying to be humble and over amplifying our sinful side.


I am way over simplifying this I know.

My real issue is this. Sometimes I think many use being “real” as an excuse not to grow. Growing as a Christian is not an option. If you is… You grow. That is the promise and the awesome truth that being a Christian is all about. God’s Seed, the Living Logos, planted in our hearts and growing in us to bear fruit for and through us.

I keep hearing things about emergent’s have potty mouth, so how does that fit in scripture where is says, “no unwholesome talk.” To tell you the truth I don’t know. I will say this. I swear. I swear a lot. Not as much as I used to, and maybe not even a bit compared to many others. I am not proud of this, but I face it as a reality in my life that must and is being dealt with in my faith.

I applaud those who seek being real and not putting on airs about being human with all it flaws, though I must say this. I am a Saint, not by what I have done, but by the works of Christ. I was once a worm… but now I am a butterfly, a bit on the ragged side and not yet having spread my wings fully. That is what the Bible tells us, and though it is hard, I believe it.

If one thinks they can still be who they were before coming to Christ, I want to say you are sadly mistaken. You are no longer in charge of your life… that is God’s dept. and really he has the say as to what His Will and Purpose is for your life here and in eternity.
Don’t think going forward and saying a prayer and even speaking in tongues or what ever means you are saved. These things do not save you, nor what you believe will save you. It is the person of Jesus who saves, and it is in Whom you believe that will save you. Being a Christian is not about doing, but about being… if you are being, then the things God wants done will get done. So be who you are in Christ.

If you are trying to be a Christian….STOP!!!!! If you are one you are one, there is no need to try. Be and Grow. If you are not one then trying is not going to get you closer to being saved, you will only be one who gets burned by the earthly, worldly church, or you will become one of the modern day Pharisees. Either way, your path will only lead you to Hell.

I believe in Hell, yet Hell is not my motivating factor… It is God’s Love that motivates me. I am not of the condemned so I really don’t think of Hell. But, I will say this, when I think of the unsaved friends I have. Those who are not in Christ and without knowing it are heading to Hell, I am filled with fear. For I know I do not love enough to sometimes stand up and speak of the love of God to them.

Again, this is not about condemnation, but about growth. The more we grow I believe the more we see. The more we see, the more we see we are inadequate to do the things God calls us to do. This allows us to humble ourselves and lean into Jesus to get the job done. For it is God Who makes things grow, and our job is to get outof the way to let Him be the Doer.

Now, one last thing. I am not condemning you or any one who my have potty mouth. I even think at times a swear word is “appropriate” in some situations as it allows the person to release and vent a bit to get a grip and refocus. Not the best way, but it has some affect. Each of us must understand that we are not just a Christian for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the whole world. In this we have a responsibility to be consistent to who we are and Whom we identify with. If our identity is in this world… swear your blanking face off, who really cares. If your identity is in Christ, then be accordingly consistent with who you are… does Jesus use foul language? I see no evidence. (Though I think is you want to argue with me your best case is some of the OT prophets, if you get into the original language it can get a bit rough at times.)

Again as I mean is think before we speak. If Jesus is speaking through me, would He use the language I may choose?

Blessings,
iggy