An antique dealer thought the wrinkled old baseball card she found might be worth $10. After posting it on eBay, she began to wonder if it might be more valuable than she had thought. She removed the posting and consulted a professional evaluator who confirmed that the photo on the 1869 card showed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first professional baseball team n the US. The card sold for more than $75,000. Mike Osegueda's article in The Fresno Bee said that even though the card was creased and discolored, the most important thing was its authenticity - it was real.
Paul and his companions suffered greatly while spreading the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 6, he listed their outward trials, their inward traits, and their spiritual resources (vv. 4-7). Try to imagine the circumstances in which all these things interacted - beatings, patience, prison, kindness, distresses, love. Although broken physically, depleted emotionally, and tested spiritually, the authenticity of their faith in Christ clearly shone through. "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (v. 10).
In our walk with Christ, there's no substitute for spiritual authenticity - being. There is no substitute for being real! Be like Him, so real and authentic. Stamp His own image deep on your heart today.
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