The Christian life should be one that is both transparent and holy, but how can we be transparent when we’re such sinners? We can look to Paul as a model. He called himself the worst of sinners. That wasn’t hyperbole; that was based on objective fact. Paul had ransacked the church and committed the most violent crimes before his conversion. But Paul also rejoiced in God’s complete forgiveness and actively pursued holiness. He could say, “Not that I have … already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Lack of perfection didn’t stop Paul from living as transparently as possible. He probably failed thousands of times in both big and small ways throughout his life. Yet he always pressed on, living in God’s forgiveness and mercy. That’s how the honored servants of God, flawed as they were, were able to do such amazing things in Christ and for Christ. They constantly strove for holiness and transparency with God and those around them.

Being holy and transparent means we don’t have anything to hide from our heavenly Father or anyone else. We are open books, filled with the loving words and mercy of Christ. We aren’t perfect, but we have nothing to hide. All we have are stories of grace, goodness, and renewal. What a strong witness our stories and our transparency can be.         

This is Luis Palau.