The Snare Of The Mask

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 31:10& 28

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

Memory of the Month: John 10:27-28

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Today's reading: 2 KINGS 19-21 JOHN 4:1-30

The Snare of the Mask

A teacher of young preachers once wrote to his pupils:

"To escape the snare of artificiality it is necessary that a man enjoy a satisfying personal experience with God. He must be totally committed to Christ and deeply anointed with the Holy Spirit. Further, he must be delivered from the fear of man. The focus of his attention must be God and not men. He must let everything dear to him ride out on each sermon."

As heavy as that sounds to some, it is what God wants, not just for the preacher of the gospel, but for all who are members of the body of Christ.

1 Peter 1:15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.…

The mask of artificiality-the mask-the face you and I put on in front of the world-the mask we wear at church-another for family and yet another for close friends.

Are we ever exactly who we are?

A 'satisfying personal relationship' with Christ is such a foreign concept to many. Some folks who have come up in liturgical churches have not been taught to have a close, personal relationship with Jesus-the church does that for you if you go through all their steps. This is not a condemnation but a challenge to find out for yourselves.

No one can do it for you. Being totally committed to Christ means that you are not tethered to any 'mother ship'. Being in Christ means just that-in Him- safe in Him. Eternally safe.

The face you wear outside your house is the same you have before God. It is not changed for any occasion or crowd because it is not considered.(I was scolded by someone in high school for wearing white socks to usher at a graduation-they said that people don't do that-I said, "I do". It had never occurred to me...)

Our face must never 'occur' to us-the Holy Spirit will lead the heart that is committed without concern for personal interest-but that is the rub is it not? Personal interest...?

In the morning when we take up our cross(Luke 9:23), we are to crucify self on that cross, yes? So self-interest should be what we die to all day, everyday?

Yes, it is a great demand and, yes, it sounds outdated and harsh and 'currently' impossible, but it is still what the Bible says:

Luke 9:23 New International Version (NIV)

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Totally committed to Christ and deeply anointed with the Holy Spirit delivered from the fear of man...this is not a goal...

It describes one who loves God with all they are.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

We should hear these words as a response to our every objection to living a holy life free from the 'snare of the mask'.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me my fear of man and society-have mercy on me, oh God. I want to love You with all I am.

Great God and friend!

In the name of Jesus,

Amen