THE PARADE OF MASK

“It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs that are painted white. Outside they look fine, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and all kinds of filth. It is the same with you. People look at you and think you are godly. But on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil"-Matthew 23:27‭-‬28 (ERV)

A Sunday school teacher was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. “Why do people call me a Christian?” the man asked. After a moment’s pause, one young boy said, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.”

The response of this Sunday student above re-echoes the issue of hypocrisy that Jesus Christ accused the Scribes and Pharisees for in the temple (Matthew 23:25-27). What is hypocrisy? Hypocrisy can be defined as an art of organising and participating in self-made parade of mask. It involves dissimulation and pretense. An hypocrite conceals his/her real nature or identity with mask of deceit/pretense. Masked Christians are not really the person that they claimed to be. They are fake!  

Friends, have you ever wondered why there has been deplorable moral and spiritual climates in our world today despite the growing number of people who profess to be Christians. Is this not a clear indication that we have more masked or fake Christians in the fold more than the unmasked or genuine ones? Is it not obvious that we have more "Title Carrying Christians" (TCC) in the kingdom more than "Mantle Carrying Christians"(MCC)? If the secret dealings of many professing christians are mirrored through the x-ray of heaven, how disgusting will the outcome looks like (Matthew 23:27).

Beloved, have you joined the parade of mask? Are you a masked Christian or a unmasked one. Are you a true disciple of Jesus Christ or you are a certified pretender. Are you really who you claimed to be or are you hiding behind the transparent wall of hypocrisy? Are your external activities or actions covering up your internal filthiness or unrighteousness? Does your lifestyle contradicts your profession? Are there are convincing evidences in your life that can attest to the fact that you have truly been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus" -Acts 4:13

One poem that describes this science of hypocrisy that is attacking the roots of revival and Christians testimony in this generation is titled "Masks". May I urge you to please examine your life closely today and trust God to deliver you from that ungodly parade of mask. 

"MASKS" By Author Unknown

Don't be fooled by the face I wear, 

for I wear a thousand masks,

And none of them are me.

Don't be fooled, for goodness sake, don't be fooled.

I give you the impression that I'm secure, 

that confidence is my name and coolness is my game,

And that I need no one. 

But don't believe me.

Beneath dwells the real me in confusion, in aloneness, in fear.

That's why I create a mask to hide behind, 

to shield me from the glance that knows,

But such a glance is precisely my salvation.

That is, if it's followed by acceptance, if it's followed by love. 

It's the only thing that can liberate me from my own self-built prison walls.

I'm afraid that deep down I'm nothing and that I'm just no good, 

And that you will reject me.

And so begins the parade of masks.

I idly chatter to you. I tell you everything that's really nothing and

Nothing of what's everything, of what's crying within me.

Please listen carefully and try to hear what I'm not saying. 

I'd really like to be genuine and spontaneous, and me.

But you've got to help me.

You've got to hold out your hand.

Each time you're kind and gentle, and encouraging, 

Each time you try to understand because you really care,

My heart begins to grow wings, feeble wings, but wings.

With your sensitivity and sympathy, 

and your power of understanding,

You alone can release me from my shallow world of uncertainty.

It will not be easy for you. 

The nearer you approach me, The blinder I may strike back.

But I'm told that Love is stronger than strong walls, 

And in this lies my only hope.

Please try to beat down these walls with firm hands,

But gentle hands, for a child is very sensitive.

Who am I, you wonder.

I am every man you meet, and also every woman that you meet,

And I am you, also.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will stir up genuine repentance in the heart of many professing but masked Christians all over the world. May the fire of hypocrisy burning fiercely in this generation be put out and replaced with the light of sincerity and genuineness. 

Good day and God bless you, Amen.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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