Transparency and the Church

I’ve heard it said, be authentic with all, transparent with most, and vulnerable with a few.

Recently I spoke with a friend about transparency within the church. We both agreed that transparency may be lacking in some areas and perhaps it’s experienced more outside the church walls than within. Why is that? Are we afraid we are not measuring up to a certain standard of Christianity? Are we comparing ourselves to others or fear the judgement from those who are in our mix? Regardless of what keeps some of us quiet or hiding behind our masks, it is essential to a thriving faith in Christ that we not hide ourselves from each other.

God did not hide the imperfect from us. The bible is filled with flawed yet God-approved people who were greatly used by him. The stories reveal consequences for those who sinned against him, but forgiveness and redemption is the theme throughout the pages and they’re meant to encourage our lives today as we read his word. Sharing Christ’s redemption in our own lives can also encourage our brothers and sisters, even if we are still working on an area that needs redeeming.

My heart is soft towards the woman at the well. She was probably not a popular gal in her town and ignored by most. I often wonder how her life changed after her encounter with Christ. However, the question I should really ponder is how would I treat a woman in my church or outside the church if she was in a similar situation? Ignore her? How about the marginalized? Those who do not look like me or talk like me, or appear to have weird struggles? Would I make it a priority to say hello or reach out to lend a hand or bring comfort? Do we reject those within our church family or out in our community?

How we view the imperfect around us may be why we hide our own broken souls and sinful selves. Truthfully, we are no different, yet we want to be different or perhaps present a cleaned up, meticulous Christian appearance that keeps us blended well in our mix. What earthly good does that do for the body of Christ?

We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are covered by his righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). And yes, we are being perfected until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). But what do we do with the sinful grime in between the fibers of our heart right now? Ignore it or continue to feel shame?

Can we truthfully admit to ourselves that some mornings we wakeup already feeling defeated in our battle with sin?

It is biblical that our sin nature is very real and a part of our lives even after we’ve put our faith in Christ. Paul reveals to us that he does what he shouldn’t do and doesn’t do what he should (Romans 7:14-25). He struggled with his flesh and so do we. But, and here’s a big BUT! We accept our sin nature, BUT we do not excuse it (1 John 3:9).

Acceptance in this case does not mean we embrace our sin nature. It is, however, an honest admission or recognition to ourselves and to God that we struggle with the grime in our hearts. This acceptance can release us from the pride-filled shame that keeps us quiet in our corner; this honesty can help us have a humble and contrite heart at the throne of God as we seek him for mercy (Hebrews 4:16). It can also release us from fighting our own battle with the flesh, clinging to the cross that runs deep as we work out our salvation.

Going back to transparency within our church family; does it help us with overcoming our battle with sin? Absolutely!

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)

Transparency has a way of keeping us humble and allowing us to shake off our protected selves before others. Being transparent can allow us to be prayed for and be encouraged or it can embolden others to admit their own struggle with sin and be encouraged to pursue healing and repentance. Transparency within our churches might just put us at ease, shedding the unnecessary shame within our journey of becoming more like Christ.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! (Psalm 66:16-20)