By now you know I’m a movie nut. I mean, I even like bad, low-budget, B movies. Speaking of those, Jim Carrey starred in “The Mask” back in 1994. Crazy comedy with some animation thrown in. Here’s the premise. Carrey’s character finds an ancient green mask. When he puts it on, he changes and becomes this bigger than life, bold and funny green cartoonish character that foils the bad guys and wins the heart of his love interest. When he explains what the mask does, this is what he said, “It’s like it brings your innermost desires to life. If deep down you’re a little repressed, and a hopeless romantic, you become some kind of love-crazy wild man. But if you’re someone like Dorian (a VERY bad person), then we’re all in big trouble.”
Wouldn’t it be convenient to just put something on that would bring out the best in us? Well, of course, it would. But it doesn’t work that way…or does it? Read Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. There is a “putting off” of the old way of life and a “putting on a new self.” This is a phrase used during bible times referring to taking a coat off and then putting on another one.
I’m not saying it’s as easy as Jim Carrey putting on the mask, but the Apostle Paul assumes that a follower of Christ will take off the old way of doing things and put on a new self capable of making good and Godly decisions. That ability comes from the indwelling Spirit of God within every Christ-follower. He doesn’t clothe you and me with a funny-looking green mask. He wants us to be clothed with righteousness (right living) and holiness.