A masquerade ball is full of costumes that glitter and are glamorous. Because it is a masquerade”¦masks are worn. Party time!

Pretense of being another personality is fun for an evening but if the pretense has become a lifestyle”¦that pretense becomes a burden.

Lookin”™ good on the outside is not as important as what is on the inside. When you and I are in right relationship with the living God ““ we have no reason to be wearing masks when we are with other people, or when we are by ourselves. (Wearing a mask can also deceive the wearer.)

No mask is needed when we are honest with God and honest with ourselves.

One of my prayers has been”¦”˜Lord, take away my façade!”™

A hypocrite is having two faces”¦one that is seen by others and the other “˜face”™ which is seen in private.

Your righteousness and mine is important to the Lord”¦Jesus warned His audience in the Sermon on the Mount about being a hypocrite like the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. They taught God”™s commandments and practiced their version”¦not God”™s intentions.

(NASB) Matthew 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

It is God”™s righteousness that we need”¦not our own righteousness.

What mask needs to come off in your life?