Transparent or Translucent?

What you see is what you get! Is that true? You hear it a lot when people describe themselves. When you are talking to them and they explain their actions or who they are by saying, "What you see is what you get". I wish it was that easy. That kind of attitude or mindset is a way of justifying oneself; even if what is said or done is not right or justifiable. This post is pretty straightforward. It does not take a lot of work to figure out what I am asking. Are you transparent or translucent?

According to the Oxford dictionary,

Transparent: A material or article allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen or having thoughts, feelings, or motives that are easily perceived. Some synonyms are clear, honest, sincere, straightforward.

Translucent: allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through; semitransparent; not completely clear. Some synonyms are hazy, opaque, foggy.

So, looking at the definitions of transparent and translucent, which are you?

Let us look at some verses, Exodus 20:16 says,

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16

Obviously this means you will be honest and sincere in your testimony about yourselves and others.

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

This is an imperative, not a request. Peter was telling us to do this; to keep loving one another. How? Earnestly! A transparent person will love with an earnest motive.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

A transparent person acts with honor.

"...but anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God." John 3:21

"Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his practices and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator." Colossians 3:9-10

Transparency is humility and inviting others to know you as you really are.

This begs the question, "Why is transparency important?" It encourages trust and honest communication between people of like characteristic. It allows a person to be open to others because they have nothing to hide. Now, that is an important point. Nothing to hide is not by accident. It is intentional actions with a desire to live honestly in all situations. No hidden agendas attached to have to avoid explanation. No ulterior motives designed out of selfishness or self-centeredness. A transparent person is willing to share anything. It is a wonderful position to live out ones' life. It is also much easier to do with a right relationship with Christ. Jesus was transparent in everything He did and taught.

The flip side is translucency. When there is a lack of transparency, there is a lack of trust. That old saying we started with does not quite ring true. Sure, there are many times it does apply, but what about the other times? Times like, did I divulge the truth about my taxes or did I really say something about a person behind their back only to deny having said it? Have you ever received back too much change from a person. You know they gave you back too much money. Were you transparent or translucent? Did you give back the excess or just pocket the extra and keep on walking?

Doesn't this bring honesty and truthfulness into light? Translucent motives and actions are more surreptitious, crafty, and deceitful. People who have these hidden motives and agendas seem to be on the up and up at first glance. However, truth can never be ultimately avoided. These people will always be found out no matter how long it takes. The result is people are hesitant to be trustful of those who are not open and transparent.

You might ask, "What does this have to do with the Christian life?" The qualities of an honest, open, and trustworthy Christian gives access to the person being witnessed to about Jesus. The truth is, if a person is walking in the light, that is the light of God, then he has credibility. 1 John 1:5-10 gives us the motive behind transparency.

"Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, "We have fellowship with Him," and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not is us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, "We have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

There it is! That's the motive of a transparent Christian. They are driven by the desire to be true to God in all they say and do. It does not mean they are perfect, but they are guilt-free having been transparent with God regarding their failures (sin).

I do not know about you, but I do not want to hide my life behind a translucent veil. I want to be transparent so, I can honestly say, "What you see is what you get." No hidden agendas. All that I am on the outside needs to reflect all that I am on the inside. If not, there is some work to be done.

"Whatever you do, do your work wholeheartedly, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord - It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23

How about you? Are you transparent or translucent? When people see you, do they really see you? Can they say they know you?

Wear Jesus Well

Blessings,

Steve