Masks

Have you been pretending to be something or someone you are not?  I think many people hide behind masks.  It seems to happen in the church often.  We are afraid to let people know who we really are because we are afraid that we won’t be accepted.  

In the Word it says in Philippians 2:1-4, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Everyone in the church should love one another helping each other and living in peace with each other as much as it is possible for them.

Reading this I got to thinking about the second commandment Jesus talked about and that is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If the church was made up of people that really loved each other we would accept each other and try to help each other grow in our walk with the Lord.  If everyone was really honest they would have to admit that we hear far more about love than we ever experience it.  

The church is made up of many people for a purpose and that is so all the ministries in the church would be covered.   It was never intended for anyone to look down their noses at anyone else, making them feel inferior to anyone.  This may surprise you but the ones cleaning the rest rooms or the ones changing the diapers in the nursery are just as important as the Pastor, in God’s eyes, maybe even more important in some cases.  

The Word says in Mark 9:33-35, “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”  Just like the disciples back in Jesus’ day we have this same problem today; people thinking they’re greater or better than the next person because they think they have a better position so they are more important.  News flash; in the Lord’s eyes we are all the same.  

If we would just stop judging each other and leave that to the Lord we would all be better off.  We all need to humble ourselves and not be judgmental, proud or arrogant learning from Jesus’ example in Philippians 2:5-8, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”

And because Jesus humbled himself read what God the Father did for Him. Read verses 9-11, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  

If Jesus the creator of the world and our Savior would humble Himself and subject Himself to a cross on our behalf we should be willing to do the same.  Jesus loved us so much He humbled himself and died for us.  Can’t we show Him we love Him by loving one another and accepting each other?  

If you feel like you have to wear a mask in church or you feel like you are not accepted, I am sorry.  Church should be a place where people can come and be loved, healed, encouraged and ministered to and those that don’t live that way should be ashamed of themselves.  I could say that there are no perfect churches but I think that might give people an excuse for their behavior.  I guess my advice would be to keep your eyes on Jesus and not on the people and pray for those that act unloving.  Try to be yourself and keep seeking the Lord and let Him change you into His image and likeness.  God bless you and have a great day.