Following Jesus: No Masks Required (Or Desired)

Here's a question worth sitting with for a minute: Are we authentic followers of Jesus, or are we just playing a part?

The Greek word for “acting” is hypokrites – it’s the origin of the English word “hypocrite.” In the ancient Greek theater, one actor would wear different masks to play different characters. And honestly? That's exactly what a lot of us do. We put on the church mask on Sunday, and nobody might ever know we are Christians on Monday.

We've all done it. Someone asks, “How are you doing?” and we say, “I'm good!” when everything is actually falling apart. We put the mask on because we think we've got to have it all together. But here's the thing – authenticity isn't just good for your soul. It's actually one of the most powerful tools for the Gospel.

When life makes us stumble, keep marching
In Acts 8, the church in Jerusalem faced serious, life-threatening persecution. Saul was going house to house, dragging people off to prison. People were scattered. It was bad.

So, what did the church do? They went out and preached the Word. Everywhere they landed, they started talking about Jesus. The very thing that got them in trouble is the very thing they kept doing.

That challenges me deeply. When someone says something mean, when people make fun of my faith, when it gets uncomfortable – do I pull back? Because the first-century church didn't.

There's a World Out There Waiting
Philip takes it even further. He goes to Samaria – home of a people with whom the Israelites had been in conflict for centuries. The Samaritans were told they didn't belong to God's family. And Philip's message was simple: You're waiting for the One? I know who He is.

And people responded!

Here's what that tells me: There is a world out there hungry for what we have. People are looking for answers. They're looking for the real thing. And if we're not going to them, we're not doing our job.

Stay amazed
When Simon – a sorcerer who was used to being the most powerful person in the room – sees the Holy Spirit move through Philip, the Bible says he was amazed.

Am I still amazed by God? I ask myself that question a lot. Do I look at what He's doing in my life and in the lives of people around me and think, “Man, I can't believe God would use someone like me?”

Because here's the reality: If we're not amazed, the people around us won't be either. You can't share what you don't have.

Take the risk of being real
And I get it. It feels risky. It feels awkward. But if Jesus is genuinely the most important thing in our lives, how is it that we can go days without mentioning Him?

Let’s make it practical. Take some time this week to ask yourself a few honest questions:

• Who in your life doesn't know you're a Christian? And not just vaguely – do the people you see every day actually know you follow Jesus?
• When's the last time you were genuinely amazed by God? If it's been a while, ask Him to renew that wonder.
• Is there someone in your world you've written off? Someone you think is too far gone or too different? Philip went to Samaria. Who is God calling you to reach?
• What mask are you wearing? What would it look like to just be honest with people – in church and out?

The church in Acts didn't have everything figured out. They made mistakes. Simon the sorcerer messed up right after he confessed belief in Jesus. But Peter taught him how to pray for forgiveness. And the church kept going. They stayed humble. They preached the Word. They prayed for people and with people.

That's all we're called to do. Go. Tell people about Jesus. Stay amazed. People in our lives will begin to wonder why.