Authenticity and transparency go hand in hand with wisdom in the way life is expressed and with whom the heart I shared. Considering that even Jesus said “not to cast your pearls before the swine”, care should be taken in the choice of people that we share our heart with through life. The piercing truth about human nature is that many people do not have the capacity to receive or understand transparent and authentic people because they are not.
Transparent people learn the wisdom of living wisely and honestly in their spiritual relationship with God, self, and others. The principle of authenticity indicates that we are first and foremost transparent in our relationship with God knowing that He recognizes us as we are and yet still in spite of all we are or are not still loves us as we are —the person He created. When we are able to be honest with God and learn to be comfortable in His presence, we have started the journey of self-acceptance and honest assessment with our self where transformation is possible. One of the keys to living that transparent and authentic life is that people learn that a life of peace with others begins with having peace with yourself. You cannot love others as you love yourself until you actually learn to love yourself in a healthy way.
If we walk in the light, the light exposes all that we are and every attitude that precedes our actions. I wonder when you look at yourself in the light of Jesus’ reflection, what do you see? Is that person someone that you can live comfortably alongside of without hiding, deflecting, or faking? Think about this: Think about this: When we live in the light of His presence, forgiveness of our sins and walking in truth and light, with God and with others, will always be natural and authentic result of having fellowship with the light.
One Pastor's Perspective 