Naked Honesty

As I was at a conference in Myrtle Beach, SC listening to a John Lynch who wrote "TrueFaced" I was challenged by the Lord how powerful honesty is.  Living in grace is the only way that we can take off the masks, be totally honest, and be completely loved and accepted.  I was also listening to another sermon that talked about Hebrews 4:13 which says, "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."  The speaker talked about this verse referring to our inability to hide from God and that all things are exposed but this is not scary because we are totally accepted and righteousness in His sight "in Christ".  Also Ephesians 5:13 says, "But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light."  Also in 1 John the Lord talks about walking in the Light and God being Light.  I believe the Lord is revealing to me the power and freedom in walking in honesty, vulnerability, and openness before God and others.  This takes courage because in our society we are constantly hiding behind masks, false identities, and busy schedules to not expose the hidden places of our lives.  I have learned to live a hidden life early on as a child and it seems that it is always a risk to open up areas of my life, putting off the old man which is a darkness dweller.  I like so many desire an intimate relationship with the Lord and vital connections with family, friends, and others but this is constantly putting pressure against the desires of the Old Man who wants to remain hidden and safe.  One book I read said that it always takes courage to be honest, I would agree whole-heartedly.  I am so glad that Christ in me has courage because I know in of myself I will let the Old Man have his way.  As I was sitting at the Conference a deep desire was stirred for greater and more authentic community but I know there is a cost.  Protection and safety are core needs of every human being, everyone has a way of meeting these needs but if we are going to truly live abundantly we must throw off the Old Man with his deceitful lies and risk rejection to be fully known and fully loved.  I see so many times in counseling where people can no longer hold inside the secrets, struggles, failures, and pain that they have hidden in the darkness.  The exposure of their inner world is a big part of the freedom people experience, I believe they are experiencing Jesus and New Covenant righteousness.  It is now our new nature to be Light dwellers, yet the Old Man so loves the dark and being hidden.  Pure unconditional love invites us into the Light where we can be fully known and fully loved.  His love is a safe place but we must be willing to lay down our old safe places where we have been hidden inside, I notice the Holy Spirit can be unrelenting gently but consistently pushing me towards the Light.  Again it is counter intuitive that we must die to really live but I see this is the only way.

In the Light,
Bret