Tuesday, September 7: Transparency

Gerry Adams said, “One man’s transparency is another’s humiliation.” Scientifically, transparency is the ability to completely see through an object, while in regard to people, transparency is to see someone as they really are, without façade, deceit or disguise. Humiliation comes from the same root as the word “humble,” and that lack of pride is the most central part of transparency. Most Christians can see two lives when looking at their past, as God changes lives drastically. Typically, new believers have much transparency, for they are excited to have the great gift of a sin burden removed from their shoulders. Yet sadly, many Christians fail to love in a Christ-like manner, and see the sinful pasts of fellow Christians as less than lovable. That behavior is reminiscent of Jonah, who refused to go to Nineveh because he did not want the Lord to save those heathens. The pain of unacceptance can cause some jaded Christians to put mirrors on their once, transparent lives, in an attempt to reflect what the viewer wants to see.


There is a noticeable difference between sharing your sinful past and bragging about your sin. When we speak of our lives before Jesus changed us, it should be in the heart that Paul had when he spoke of his sin:


12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:12-15


Was Paul bragging that he was the chief of sinners? On the contrary, he knew that all he deserved was death, yet Jesus had given him eternal life! The Greek word for insolent in the passage above actually means “violently arrogant,” so Jesus had changed Paul from being filled with pride to an abject, spiritual poverty and humbleness. Paul was ashamed of his past, but he transparently shared it with many generations of Christians. He did not worry about his detractors, as Paul knew that God’s will would be accomplished. God chose Paul, just as He has chosen each of us!


In a discussion on transparency, a dear friend shared a wonderful analogy with me. Transparency isn’t our only goal. Looking into a lake with two feet of water might enable us to see every object on the bottom, yet that is not transparency as much as it is lack of depth! Instead, we should set a goal of becoming like the Caribbean Sea with crystal, clear water of enormous depth, yet still allowing someone on the surface to see the bottom clearly.


We have a tendency to respect people, rather than respect God. Desiring respect, many Christians act differently at church than they do at home or at work. Yet God sees the heart. Consequently, the most gifted teachers are not the ones who try to act “holier than thou.” Certainly, there is a great difference between acting holy and being holy. I attend a Bible study led by a wonderful teacher, who had an extramarital issue many years ago. Some Christians avoid this teacher because of his sinful past. Yet he admitted his sin, remained with his wife, asked for forgiveness and continues to use that brokenness as an example any time he teaches on sexual immorality. Truly, he has been humbled by his own sin, and more deeply understands God’s forgiveness and restoration.

Through our transparency, others who care to look may see the miracles that God has accomplished. While fellow believers might have difficulty forgiving your sin, God has no difficulty. God’s love is the guideline, as all of us are in need of a Physician! Transparency involves humbleness, wisdom and accepting God’s will, yet all those require depth of character, rather than shallowness. If it hurts to be transparent, don’t lose sight of the fact that the Lord’s love is deeper than the deepest ocean! He will sustain you, even when others fail!


I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20