Unmasking 

During the “Dawn of The Spirit” - our weekly 7am prayer meeting, Maureen prayed so powerfully about being real and authentic. It was a special moment in God’s presence as we opened our hearts to the LORD to unmask us.

But why do Christians have the need to wear masks? Why do we pretend? Why conceal our true nature, feelings and sins? Is it not to maintain a reputation we don’t really have? For others, it is to avoid being judged. And from experience, others have learned that exposing yourself among Christians often backfires?

We think we will find love and care when we share, but did anybody really care? They say they do, but is it not just words? Where is the action? What does their love lead them to do? When last did we open up about our struggles to another Christian? We don’t do it because we’ve not seen anyone do it recently. Sometimes we want to be bold to share our innermost thoughts in a small group setting, but we hold back because we are not sure we won’t be negatively impacted.

So, we wear masks. We pretend and carry on as if all is well. That’s why we are weak when we can and should be strong. We miss out on the blessings and healing that comes from being vulnerable and open. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16, NIV).

We miss out on the healing God promises when real confession doesn’t happen. Our prayers are powerless and ineffective because we are hypocrites who hide under masks. We only become righteous (right before God) when we confess our sins. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9, ESV)

When we confess our sins, we get more than forgiveness, we get cleansing. When we are clean, we are more disposed to draw close to God. There is no hiding place for sin because the cleansing we receive shows it up, so it can be dealt with. Sin only hides and thrives in filth and secrecy. God changes us as we unveil before him.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18)

When my projected self - the "me" I want people to see; my perceived self - the "me" people see and my real self - the real me are congruent, I come to a place of authenticity, blessing and revelation.  It is a place of access – where we get 'keys of the kingdom' - and begin to demonstrate real spiritual authority and influence in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 16:18-19) That is the place we want to be as a church. Our lives need to be "an open book." No cover ups, no guile, no hypocrisy.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Gal. 6:1-5, NIV)

It’s time to unmask, to care deeply for one another. To be totally trusting and loving. To carry one another and build one another up. When we do, we don’t only become a powerful community of love, we also become very attractive to outsiders looking in. This is the law of Christ.