MORNING MANNA 5-30-24
PLAY ACTING AND MASK WEARING
Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity!
Let us observe how abominable hypocrisy is in the eyes of Christ.
We are told that in the presence of all the people, Jesus said unto His disciples: .” Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”Luke 20:46-47
No sin seems to be regarded by Christ as more wicked than hypocrisy! None certainly drew forth from His lips such frequent, strong and withering condemnation–during the whole course of His ministry.
He was ever full of mercy and compassion for the chief of sinners. “Fury was not in Him” when He saw:
Zacchaeus,
the penitent thief,
Matthew the tax-collector,
Saul the persecutor, and
the sinful woman in Simon’s house.
But when He saw Scribes and Pharisees wearing a mere cloak of religion, and pretending to great outward sanctity, while their hearts were full of wickedness–His righteous soul seems to have been full of indignation. Eight times in Matthew chapter 23, we find Him saying: “Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites!”
Whatever else we are in religion–let us be true. However feeble our faith, and hope, and love, and obedience may be–let us see to it that they are real, genuine and sincere. Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity. At any rate, let us be genuine.
The hypocrite will have the lowest place in Hell! “
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
