But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 2 TIMOTHY 3:10 (NLT)

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Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could be depended upon to live with authenticity and integrity? This would make elections easier, wouldn’t it? There would be no need for one candidate to dig up dirt on another. We would simply know if we prefer one person’s policies or the other without all the diversion and sleight of hand. 

Jesus said in John 4:24, “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Another way of saying “in spirit and in truth” is “with authenticity and accuracy.”

Paul contrasts his life with false teachers in this chapter. As long as there is truth, there will be people who oppose it, restate it, add to it, or take away from it. People will manipulate the truth for power and profit. Paul reminds Timothy to live with authenticity and accuracy as he did. He pointed to his own life as an example. Timothy knew him up close and personal. He knew Paul lived what he said he believed. 

Paul’s teaching was consistent with his behavior. His life had purpose. His faith formed his every practice. He patiently endured all problems including the honest immaturity of new believers who did not yet know better. Tim knew Paul’s heart. He genuinely loved God and loved people and wanted everyone everywhere to know and experience God as he did. He knew Paul would go the distance. 

What do the people who know us best know to be true about us? What is the best they could say? Could we honestly say to our children, grandchildren, coworkers, and friends, “You know what I teach, how I live, and what my purpose is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. Follow me as I follow Christ.” 

This is the kind of life we should aspire to live. Anything else is less than authentic and accurate. This is less about perfection than direction. We are apprentices of Jesus making more apprentices of Jesus. We are learning how to live if Jesus would if he were us. 

Today is a good day to live with authenticity and accuracy. Today is a good day to invite others into this journey. Today is a good day to build lives, families, and communities where people can trust one another to do what is right, just, fair, and compassionate for everyone. 

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I will make it my purpose to live with authenticity and accuracy.

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Our Father, please remove from my life any shade of inauthenticity. Please align and attune my heart and my actions with yours. I want to follow you with authenticity and accuracy so that I may be able to invite others to follow me without fear of leading them astray in any way. Amen.