Then the other, doubting side of me asked myself a question... "How do I know this is a real seal or certificate of authenticity and not a fake?" That got my wheels turning in the other direction.
Let me first define the real. A certificate of authenticity (COA) is a seal or small sticker on a product such as a piece of art work, a computer program, t-shirt, jersey, or any other memorabilia. Regarding art, it's commonly a seal on paper authenticating a specific art work letting us know the item is authentic. Usually the COA is signed and sealed by a reputable appraiser or auction house. (Computer COAs have a license number on them, which verifies that the program is a genuine, legal copy.)
So, how do I tell a fake? To begin with, you really have to understand what a legitimate COA consists of because plenty of COAs are floating around out there, especially at online auctions like eBay. Unless a certificate of authenticity originates from and is signed by either the artist who created the art, the publisher of the art, a confirmed established dealer or agent of the artist (not a casual third party or reseller), or an acknowledged expert on the artist, that certificate is pretty much meaningless.
You may wonder why I'm giving so much attention to a COA. All of this got me thinking. God put His Certificate of Authenticity on me. I'm one-of-a-kind, yet custom-made in His image. I have qualities that are special and unique to none other than myself. Thankfully, my value has been set by my Maker and my seal originates and is signed by the One who created me.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What makes you authentic?Put me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. Love is as strong as death; jealousy is as strong as the grave.
Song of Solomon 8:6
Chrissy
Cyberpsalmist
Posts
24 comments:
What makes us authentic is how God defines us. I am the salt of the earth, I am the light of the world, I am a child of God, I am Christ's friend, I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit, I am a personal witness of Christ for Christ, I am a slave of righteousness, I am enslaved to God, I am a son of God, I am a Joint-heir with Christ sharing His inheritance with Him, I am a temple of God, I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with Him, I am a member of Christ's body, I am a new creation, I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation, I am a son of God and one in Christ, I am an heir of God since I am a son of God, I am a saint, I am God's workmanship in Christ to do His work that He planned beforehand that I should do, I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's people in His family, I am righteous and holy, I am a citizen of heaven an seated in heaven right now, I am hidden with Christ in God, I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is in my life, I am chosen and dearly loved by God, I am a son of light and not of darkness, I am one of God's living stones and am being built up as a spiritual house, I am an alien and stranger to this world I temporarily live in, I am an enemy of the devil, and I am born of God and the evil one can't touch me.
Thank you Ginger #2! This was EXCELLENT and I'm so happy to post it for all to hear once again.
Amen, amen, and AMEN!!!
Chrissy
WOW Ginger#2 that was great!
Now moving on to my answer to the question... I think what makes you authentic is being yourself.
In my case that is being I child of God, daughter to Stefanie and Brad Transue, sister to Kayly and Samuel, and friend or sister in Christ to many people.
We are authentic because we're alive. Not just that we breath and are alive, it's because of the life Christ gave us. Like Samuel quoted, we are a "personal witness of Christ". The fact that someone is a believer make it possible to have authentic faith and the authority to be a witness of Christ. So basically our physical life gives us authenticity as people and our spiritual life in Christ gives us authenticity as children of God.
Autumn,
You are true to who God made you to be with no excuses. I love that about you!
Chrissy
Briana,
It's like having two COA's... one for the part that lives, moves, and has our being and the other for who I have become because of Christ's resurrection power in me.
Amen!
Chrissy
When you're authentic you don't change who you are based on what people you're with or the situations you're in. God has made us so different from each other. Just like snowflakes, not one single design is the same as the next. I believe that you can tell someone is authentic when they are truly themselves and don't put on airs. Autumn has a great speech about the book "Best of All" by Max Lucado, where one of the characters changes who she is to fit in with a certain special group. This is the opposite of being authentic. Being authentic means being your wonderful, original self!
"I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!" - Psalm 139:14 (The Message)
The thing that really makes me stand out in the crowd is, my heart. As you know, its different than others; literally. Aside from just that, I'm different in lots of ways. I haven't met anyone who thinks just like me, or has the same personality as me. Yes, there are a lot of people who might act like me, but they simply aren't me. God created us to be different, but we all (should) have something in common, and that's to love God with all that we have.
I think what makes you authentic is being yourself along with being truthful.
Brothers and sisters, twins, look a like. But we all have different personalities! Some are funny and witty, some are nice and fun to hang around, others are cruel and shrewd. Our personality's are our own COAs. We might be all different but we are all children of God. As 1 Samuel 16:7 says - But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. And as Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. We are all unique in gods eyes. Even though twins look and sound the same. They are both special down to the very last cell, and in God's heart.
This last weekend my family took a trip to North Carolina. As we were on our way to the cabin, we were looking around for places to explore and things to do. There was this one building that caught my eye. It was called, "Gem Mines". When I told my family about it. Grayson said. " it's probably just a tourist trap." And when we read the reviews, people who had visited said the gems were not authentic. Although those gyms are not authentic doesn't mean we're not. God made us in his own image like in Galations 5:22-23 The Fruit of the Sprite is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Genteelness, and Self control. Although we struggle with some of these things we are still made in the image of God. He makes us with special talents and abilities like no one else. If I met Jesus, I would immediately know that he is an authentic man. He wouldn't lie, try to make himself bigger than anyone else and he wouldn't hurt anyone. I would know I could trust him with anything I would do or tell him. So everyday I want to be MORE authentic like Him!
Lily,
I'm so glad God created YOU! You truly are one-of-a-kind. People copy each other all the time and some say that's a high compliment. We have been created by a creative God; therefore, being creative ourselves is part of our make up.
All of us have plenty of liberty where 'being ourselves' is concerned. It doesn't seem like we should need to copy anyone since we are all so unique. I'm glad you are Lily and I'm glad you are mine :)
Chrissy
Preston,
I consider truthfulness as a character trait that's high on my list. What price must we pay for this kind of authenticity? To be true and faithful to our word and let our 'yes' be a real 'yes'? It's hard but it's worth it :)
Chrissy
Jared,
Your example of twins is excellent! That proves the uniqueness of an individual, whether even their cells are almost identical!
Our personalities define us while we are here on this earth, and until our personalities and our hearts line up, we are unfinished works. I'm so glad God looks at the heart. For our hearts have a "personality' of their own and thank God, He can see to the depths.
Chrissy
Evan,
What a disappointment it must have been when you realized the Gem Mine was not authentic. From that review on, there was no reason to further explore the idea. With no validity, your money would have been wasted.
I love that you used the God/Man Jesus as the perfect example. It's so good to know He is not a fake. Yes, we all have such a long way to go towards perfection, but like you, Jesus makes me WANT to be just like Him... to follow in His authenticity.
Chrissy
WOW NICE JOB GINGER #2. BUT WHY did you STEAL my name? Never mind, I mean you are a ginger too. (IF THIS IS CONNOR)
The only thing I would like to add on to all the other comments is that your authenticity is the way other people see you not just God. It’s not the way you look but who you are. Does the world look at you and say you are authentic because you are Christian, because you obey and respect your parents, love your siblings? Do you have love, joy, peace, patient goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control which are the fruits of the Spirit? Being a Christian and a light to the world make you different, not normal, authentic. In being a Christian you are authentic in your own way because God has a specific plan for you. God’s plan will define you and your authenticity forever.
Samuel,
I think it was ironic that this week there were two Gingers... #1 and #2. Yet I knew, just by the comments you were two separate people. I guess I could say your authenticity shows.
Your definition is so good. Just being a Christian changes everything and to be Christ-like sets us apart from the norm as it is.
Chrissy
what makes me authentic is that i am very creative and smart.
Glen,
You ARE very creative and smart! I'm so glad you are confident in who you are and what gifts and talents the Lord gave you.
Some people wonder what makes them special and search a long time to find out who they are. I've heard successful business people say we need to figure out how to 'brand' ourselves. It sounds like God has already 'branded' you!
Chrissy
I think what makes us authentic, is that God created us the way he wanted us to be, not as a cheap copy, but as unique,one of a kind bieng, created in his image. Which according to the simple rules of supply and demand, makes each and every one that God has created that much more valuable! ;)
Zach,
Your comment about our value is very valuable. So often, we make the mistake of estimating our own worth. Only our Maker can do this. The same is true for money... only those in the federal government who are in charge of our money can put the value amount on the face of the bill. Even if we crumble it up, let it go through the wash in our pockets, or hide it away in a safe, it still keeps the face value.
Our maker has decided our worth and authenticity and thank God, no one can change that.
Chrissy
Oh Grayson,
I don't know how I missed commenting on your post comment! I apologize.
I think you really hit the mark on this one. Celebrating individuality is what I'm talking about. Everyone is different, special, even quirky, but God doesn't want us to give up who we are and give in just to fit in.
Granted, we need to change who we are if it doesn't glorify Christ, but that's not we are talking about here. It's sad to see so many young people give up their personal identity for the sake of acceptance. It's when our self-image gets wrapped up in His that we flourish as a whole human being, spirit, soul, and body!
Chrissy
Mrs. Larson,
Reading your post and all the comments in response to your question has been truly a blessing in my few spare moments. As I look at the lives of all the INDIVIDUALS around me each day I am awed at how different God has made us to be. For years I didn't know what being authentic looked like in my life. I didn't want to either, I was scared. Being like everyone else was safe and easy, so why change?
Seeing these young adults showcase their knowledge of why they are authentic brings a smile to my face. They clearly laid out the only reason we can and should desire authenticity: God. How He made us all unique individuals in order to most glorify Him. The fact that these young folks are willing to publicly proclaim Christ says a lot about their character.
Not long ago I had an opportunity to proclaim my faith to one of my professors. However, when the moment arrived I was nervous and uncertain as to what I should say. Thankfully God gave me the courage to just speak the truth and claim Christ. This moment of authenticity has led to a unique bond with my professor because it allowed her the opportunity to open up about her faith as well.
Thank you for providing this venue for learning. Not do we get to understand each other better, but also we are drawn closer Christ.
God Bless,
Jenna
Jenna,
First of all, thanks for commenting. I know you have a lot on your plate so I'm honored you paid a visit.
The Friday co-op after this post, I stood before each class and commended them on their truly authentic walk with Jesus. Never have been so proud of these kids than I was after they all posted. I told them I could tell their responses were genuine.
Sometimes kids just mimic or repeat their parents concerning spiritual things. But these kids own Him. They know who He is and who they are.
I'm also very proud of you for sharing your faith in such a very vulnerable situation. You're right... it's easier to just keep it safe and easy. But you showed bravery and operated in wisdom. According to the scripture verses we are memorizing this year, it clearly says because He was, we will be hated and persecuted too. But sometimes He sees fit to reward us for getting out on that flimsy limb.
This generation is amazing and I'm so honored to run along side each and every one of you!
Chrissy
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