Masks: Taking Them Off — Part 3 of 3

This is part three of a three part series on masks. Part one was about why we wear masks. Part two was about why we keep them on.

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
– Matthew 7:5 (NIV)

The mask blurs our vision so that we cannot see things clearly. We are more judgmental with the mask on. We need to be willing to take off our masks before helping others take theirs off. This is how we help each other, not hurt one another. Like the image below, you may find faults with this woman if you met her however – you need to know – this is my grandmother. If you choose to judge her, you’ll be met with a much different narrative from me. Every person you judge is a person who’s loved.

“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
– Romans 14:10 (NIV)

Sometimes, the reason we judge others or see others in a different light is because we’re really seeing ourselves. It’s much easier to point out faults in others than to admit to faults ourselves. We make others the scapegoats for our misgivings. Why do we do this? What good comes from tearing someone else down? In the manner in which you judge, you will be judged. On the flip side, in the manner in which you love, you will be loved. Like the image below, power is found in taking off our masks and impacting others in small ways. This helps to keep the mask off.

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
– John 1:17 (NIV)

The next time you hear the devil whispering in your ear that you deserve judgment and condemnation, so what? I know someone who not only endured this, but conquered it. That person is Jesus Christ. Where Jesus is, so I will be also. Like the image below, with Jesus, no matter what the circumstance, we can dance freely.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
– Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

You are no longer a slave to fear. Be a slave to much greater things – the pursuit of righteousness, acceptance, love, forgiveness. Yes – you probably deserve judgment. Yes – you probably deserve condemnation. However, God’s love for you is bigger than His hatred of sin. God wants to free you, not condemn you. Jesus chose to accept you, not deny you. Like the image below, the chains have been broken. It’s up to you whether or not you choose to live in this freedom or place the chains back around your neck.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
– 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

The chains are off. Jesus has crushed the head of our greatest enemy. Satan has no power over that which Jesus has authority. The more you live in the freedom of Christ, the more free you become. The more free you become, the less Satan’s voice can even get to your ears, let alone affect your thoughts. Taking off the mask can be hard. Keeping it off can be even harder. Truth is, we get so comfortable with the mask on that we sometimes fear the unknown of taking it off. How will people react? Will I know what steps to take? Who will reject me? Who will accept me? Even though the road may seem unclear, one thing is certain – there is freedom in taking off the mask. Like the image below, taking off the mask leads to an uncertain path, but that path leads us closer to God and God promises to direct our path.

Imagery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0hFhBjceGs]