Day 285

Matthew 16:13-17:13; Mark 8:22-9:13; Luke 9:18-36.  “Transparency”

         Jesus modeled transparency to us in how He lived His life.  Jesus opened himself up to His disciples and allowed them to know certain things about Him and His purpose.  I do think that it is important to note that He was more transparent with some of his disciples (Peter, James, and John) than He was with the rest.
         Part of living an authentic Christian life is the practice of transparency with a trusted brother or sister in Christ.  Like Jesus, we need not be as transparent with all as we are with some.  Transparency involves giving someone else a window into our soul where our deepest thoughts and emotions lie.  Transparency leads to authenticity because, when we allow others to know us fully, we can no longer fool them with our external behavior.  They know when we’re faking it because they know the real us.
         Like an overhead transparency that is revealed when the light is switched on, may your life become transparent when you encounter the light of Christ.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?