Masks

I'm tired of the masks. Everywhere you turn, everywhere you go there are people in masks. I wish there was some way that a masks wouldn't be necessary, but for so many people they are just that. They make us feel safe, we feel comfortable, and we feel like we can fit in with the rest of the crowd. But masks can very easily be our undoing.

We see what sort of company we keep when we wear a mask:

"For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." (2 Cor 11:13-15)

Jesus accused the religious people of His day of wearing a mask. They would parade around in masks made of religiousness, pretending to care for the laws of God, for the poor, for the lost. But really, they didn't care much beyond making sure their religion was seen by others. They didn't put others' interests before their own. They didn't sacrificially love one another and give to those in need. They didn't let the law of God penetrate their hearts, melt that rough exterior, and really love people. Jesus called us to love and He showed us how to love in His life and in His words. 

The antidote to hypocrisy is authenticity.

Some people wear a mask because what they really think or how they really feel isn't acceptable in "polite society". Don't let society be the judge, for "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy." (James 4:12). No, society isn't our judge to tell us what is right is what is wrong. Instead, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Pt 1:3). 

Therefore, judge "for yourselves what is right" (Luke 12:57) and if this judgement doesn't line up with what is revealed in God's word maybe it's time for a heart-check.

Ask yourself if you need to wear a mask to hide a sinful thought, wouldn't it be better to repent and to be authentic?

How are you showing the love of God to others?