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Post details: Abandon the mask

06/26/08

12:38:25 pm, Categories: GraceHead teaching, By Trent
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Abandon the mask

_{by Trent - from Oct 2005}

Am I best defined by how I behave under the worst circumstance or under the most ideal circumstance?

Here is my Christmas wish list of the ideal impression that I want to leave.
(is yours like mine?):

Handsom
Brilliant
Spiritual
Family-man
Entertaining
Calm, cool, collected
Confident
Flexible ... and more

At my worst, I am this list.
(is yours different?):

Foolish
Perverted
Angry
Selfish
Afraid
Hopless
Rigid
Carnal
Disgusting
Unreliable
Insincere
Vengful
Boring ... and more

I am here to say that the most accurate definition of my condition is the second list. Wouldn't you rather know how someone behaves during hardship? Even if I somehow leave the proper/desired impression, then I am only a hardship away from revealing my other list.

The effort to mask my condition with external deception is called "charm."

The impression is not reality. "Charm is deceiving." (Sidenote: Consider Jesus during hardship - "Forgive them, for they know not what they do. " )

So, I will pull you close with one hand and push you away with my other. I want you to be impressed with me, but I want you to not get so close that you figure out what I am really capable of.

The deception is that by reforming my behavior, that I can change my inner self. Even God did not attempt that. The hope of the Gospel is that I can exchange my inner self (Adam) for God's life (Christ.) ... and this new life will express God's characteristics instead of mine, moment by moment as I rely upon Him.

Can you imagine what a relief it is to abandon the mask?

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2 comments

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Comment from: Kevin [Visitor]

I love your blogs! They give me increasing confidence that I am not barking mad - or if I am barking, that at least I might be barking up the right tree. As I believe my good friend Gert said to you recently, you seem to be able to write about these things in such a unique, engaging way.

10/21/05 @ 16:47

Comment from: pam [Visitor]

Hey Trent,

This is an oldy but goldy. So many Christians are caught up in making sure that they appear to be like Christ that they don't have time to pay attention to Christ's work within them that can actually make them like Christ. Pretence makes me want to gag but Christian pretence makes me want to hurl and then run as fast as I can. The most diabolical sins of the church have been those committed in the name of preserving 'testimony'; not the testimony of Jesus Christ working in the lives of sinners but testimony of the outward appearance of holiness at any cost. I don't know the body count but I do know that on Judgement Day, the full count will be known to all and I expect it to be overwhelming. We'd best all keep our eyes on Jesus and our own need of redemption and not on any 'top Christian stars' no matter how holy and pure they may appear. None of us can read the heart of another and only God knows with certainty where reform ends and true redemption begins in any of us.

Pam

06/26/08 @ 12:50

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Post details: Abandon the mask

06/26/08

Abandon the mask

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