Masks

You Pharisees are a walking contradiction. You are so concerned about external things—like someone who washes the outside of a cup and bowl but never cleans the inside, which is what counts! Beneath your fastidious exterior is a mess of extortion and filth. Luke 11:39 (VOICE)

I really believe that God has been prompting me to talk (write) about this for a while now and it's come to the point where I can't put it off any longer. In the above portion of scripture Jesus is confronting a Pharisee in a way that I believe many of us today can relate to if we take the time to be honest and take a hard look in the mirror. As I was reading through this story I kept getting the impression of a mask. Webster defines the word as a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise. So it's pretty safe to say that figuratively we all wear masks from time to time and don't get me wrong at times I think these masks can be beneficial and healthy. However, saying that we eventually have to remove these masks and face God and ourselves.

Some of the masks are created out of insecurities, loss, pain, and countless other life-impacting events and for a season I believe they can help but I've seen that the masks can sometimes become stuck. Jesus called the Pharisees a "walking contradiction" the Pharisees were the best at wearing masks that they believe made them look more holy and religious. Now we all have played the religious card at one time or another. "Oh they smoke cigarettes...have tattoos...and only go to church one day a week...They can't be true believers then." It's this religious mask that has left a bad taste in the mouth of an unbelieving world towards the Church.

On a more personal level, you have the Pharisee…ah hem...I mean Christian that seems to perfect outwardly on Sunday morning then goes home and their behavior in no way resembles a Christ-like demeanor. Let's ask our loved ones how they would describe us. Spouses, would your spouse say that the way you speak to them, and treat them is out of love? Parents, would your kids say that Mommy and Daddy are always so kind and I always see them praying and reading their Bibles. What if a camera followed you on any given day and recorded everything you did and said; would you be comfortable showing the video in your church on Sunday morning? If you are a true follower of Christ you already have the Characteristics (peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control, love, etc.) of His nature but whether you chose to walk in them or not, that's your decision.

You see we all have masks that we put on for one reason or another but in order to get to place where God has called us we need to take of these masks and just start letting our true Godly inner Man (woman) shine through. "I don't feel like it" and "You don't know what I've been through..." you say, well that's true but; if you are calling yourself a Christian isn't it time that you start believing like one? And even if you don't believe be honest about that, go before God and tell Him that, He is still big enough to work that unbelief out within you (see Mark 9:14-29). It all just starts with you taking off the masks that you've been wearing for so long and being honest with God and yourself. 

Take Care & God Bless,

Title: Still Believe

Artist: Kim Walker-Smith

Album: Still Believe