When you live a true and authentic life, and you have completely surrendered to God, then you will be close to God. It’s that simple.

If you look at your own concept of authenticity and truth, examine it closely; take off your worldly glasses and allow a spirit of truth to expose any darkness in your life and heart; you will notice that righteousness does not exist outside of truth, as Pastor Deborah has been teaching us. This is the truth you need to live out daily. This is also the truth that other people see in your life and this is how they will measure you. Your authenticity as a Christian is determined by the honesty of your life, honesty with others, yourself and, most of all, God. This means showing genuine remorse when needed, and genuine commitment when you commit.

In Joel 2:13 (MSG) we read: “Change your life, not just your clothes.   Come back to God, your God.  And here's why:  God is kind and merciful.  God takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, this most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe...”

By changing your life and not just what you want the world to see, you need to surrender.  Coming back to God means obedience, but obedience is only the half of it, according to Jacqueline Del Rossario: to be truly and honestly submitted to God, you need to also have joy. If you’re obedient but there is no joy, how do you expect God to be extravagant in God’s love?  If you offer an apology, but there is no genuine, truthful remorse behind it, where is the joy?  If you obey God without complete submission, you cannot claim to have an authentic relationship with God.  Your honesty, obedience and joy together make for a healthy and close relationship with God. Herein also lays a great promise. When you’re close to God, really close to God, God’s extravagant love becomes apparent and we live a life of abundant blessing.