Real Life with Real Faith
In today’s world, authenticity is often celebrated, but rarely practiced. People are hungry for realness in relationships, work, and in their faith. As Christians, and particularly as members of the United Methodist Church, we are called to live in a way that reflects the deep and abiding faith we have in Jesus Christ—a faith that should shape every aspect of our lives. This faith doesn’t just impact what we believe; it transforms how we live, interact with others, and, most importantly, how transparent we are about who we are.
In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly taught His disciples to be open and honest about their faith. He didn’t ask for perfection—He asked for truth. He called His followers to let their lives be a testimony to the grace and goodness of God. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Our faith, then, is not something we can hide or compartmentalize. It’s meant to be visible, and that requires us to be transparent—not just about our successes but also about our struggles, doubts, and imperfections.
Living real life with real faith means embracing the messiness of life while allowing God to shine through us. It means being honest when we don’t have all the answers, but also confident in the One who does. It’s about showing people that faith is not a mask we wear on Sundays, but a deep relationship with Christ that informs every choice we make.
As United Methodists, we believe in a faith that works in harmony with reason, experience, and tradition. This means we don’t ignore the complexities of life. We wrestle with questions, we engage with the world around us, and we invite others into that same journey of faith. We don’t have to pretend everything is perfect because we serve a perfect God who meets us in our imperfections.
One of the key ways we live out our faith is through our relationships—with family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. It’s easy to put up walls, especially when life gets tough. We often want to project an image of having it all together, especially in our faith communities. But Jesus calls us to something deeper.
Being transparent in our relationships means being willing to be vulnerable. It means admitting when we’ve made mistakes, confessing when we’ve fallen short, and allowing others to see our humanity. This kind of honesty creates authentic community, where people can feel safe to be themselves and seek God’s grace together.
Our faith shouldn’t be something that only lives within the walls of our church buildings. It needs to extend into every part of our lives—our work, our neighborhoods, our social circles. When we live transparently, we show others what it means to follow Christ in the day-to-day struggles and joys of life.
This kind of faith might look like sharing your story with a coworker who’s going through a tough time, even when you don’t have all the answers. It might look like standing up for justice, knowing that your faith compels you to speak up for the oppressed, even when it’s uncomfortable. It might look like practicing forgiveness and grace, even when the world says to hold grudges and seek revenge. The point here is that a faith that is lived out transparently doesn’t preach at people—it invites them in. It shows them that we are real people with real challenges, but that our hope is in a real Savior.
In a world where people crave authenticity, our faith in Jesus calls us to live lives that are open and honest. This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, but it does mean we need to be willing to let our faith shine through in every aspect of our lives. Transparency in our faith shows others the reality of God’s grace—a grace that covers our imperfections and transforms our lives.
As United Methodists, as the body of Christ, let’s commit to living real lives with real faith, embracing the call to be transparent in our relationships, our communities, and our witness. Let’s be the light that shines brightly in the world, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus Christ in everything we do.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Owen