It's Time To Remove The Mask

“Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.”  And he said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So, they brought it to him.  Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it, there shall be no more death or barrenness.’” So, the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.” (II Kings 2:19-22)

Most of us do not like to hear when we are doing something wrong but when it deals with your salvation, and where you will spend eternity then you must listen!

Jesus called the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Whitewashed,” meaning they look great and religious on the outside, but on the inside as “Filthy rags.”

Jesus will speak to your heart; He will inspire you and also speak through situations and other people as a means to get your attention.  If that does not work, more drastic trials may happen.  This is because He does not want anyone to perish!

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9)

So, face it, own up to your sins, and repent!  It is time to remove the mask!  It is time to stop looking all righteous on the outside but full of sin within.

Our main verse talks about bad waters.  The bad waters represent sin within and barren meaning no fruit; there is no spiritual fruitfulness in your spirit or life.  So, Elisha tells the people to get a new bowl and to put salt into it, and then he goes to the water source and casts the salt into it.

The new bowl is Jesus Christ and when we receive Him into our spirit as Lord and Savior, we receive a new heart through the Holy Spirit within.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

Salt is a preservative and with Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He makes all things new, living, and alive in the spirit through the Holy Spirit within you.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

Jesus cleanses you upon your confession and repentance.

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:7-9) 

Salt, in this text, is from the Hebrew word, Melach, which means to disappear as dust.  This is what Jesus does when you ask for forgiveness.  He forgives your sins, and they are washed away, remembered no more!

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)

We are made new in Christ and as we grow with Him each day, we are made new in the attitude of our minds!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17)

Fruitfulness is a result, because as we grow, so does the Fruit of the Spirit planted in us through the Holy Spirit when we received Him.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25)

The Lord’s gifts, the Holy Spirit, and the Fruit of the Holy Spirit are irrevocable!  In Him, there is no more barrenness!  Who would not want this?

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)

No one knows the hour and time of their death; do you really want to take a chance on where you will spend eternity? Do you want to chance worldly lusts and pleasures on earth, when this earth, and your life is but a breath, and then all will pass away?

Stop trying to look great according to the world’s standards but as filthy rags according to God’s holy standards! It is time to remove the mask!

When Jesus forgives you and His Holy Spirit enters your heart, your sins are washed away, and you get a do-over; a new beginning!

Just confess as the scripture below says to do, then tell someone!  It makes it real in your heart. Then find a good Church to go to and let the Pastor know.  This is your new family in Christ and will be there to disciple, encourage, pray with and for you, and help you when you need it.

Also, get a Bible and begin reading it; this is your spiritual food, and as the body needs food to grow and stay strong, so does your spirit.

Start reading the Book of John, in the gospels.  You must first learn about who Jesus is in order to see the symbolism of who He is in the Old Testament.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

If you just prayed to receive Jesus as Lord, congratulations and welcome to the family of God!