Unmasked Faces: Taking the Mask Off - Living Free - September 1
Unmasked Faces: Taking the Mask Off
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ." 2 Corinthians 3:14 NLT
Thoughts for Today
When we allow masks to hide our pride, fear, anger, bitterness ... or whatever ... we cannot understand the truth. The truth of Jesus. The truth of God's Word. The truth of forgiveness. The truth of how God sees us.
As today's scripture makes clear, there is only one way our masks, or veils, can be removed: believing in Christ.
The first step is to believe in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:22-25 NLT
Consider this …
When we receive Christ, God sees us as forgiven. As righteous. One of the greatest blessings in life is understanding that our true identity is in Jesus Christ and then serving him as our Savior. Only then can the masks begin to come off.
As we become more transparent with God and others, we will more and more bear a resemblance to Christ. We will find this wonderful relationship grow as we focus on him and his Word.
Prayer
Lord, I realize now I've been hiding behind a mask. Hiding from others and even myself. Worst of all, hiding from you. I do believe in Jesus. I believe he is your Son and died on the cross for my sins. I receive him now as my Savior. In his name ...
These thoughts were drawn from … Free to Grow: Overcoming Setbacks and Disappointments by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. The purpose of this group study is to help people overcome disappointments and setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their emotional and spiritual development. The group study will help participants understand how to be set free so that they can grow and become all that God has designed them to be. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
©Living Free 2020. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org
