Masks are fun to wear, especially if you don't want someone to know who you are. Bandits wore them in every "Good verses Evil" movie we saw while growing up. Even some of the good guys wore masks to hide their identity when not on the job.

The problem is when people who are supposed to be transparent and vulnerable with each other resort to wearing them, and we're speaking specifically of the Church. "I'm fine," is the habitual response to "How are you?" though it may be far from the truth.

So, how do we fit together as the Body of Christ when we still feel like we can't be honest with each other? Can we really have "koinonia," TRANSPARENT ACCEPTANCE? Can we operate in God's love that says, "I know who and what you are...and I love you anyway?"

Today we look at how to "Love not only in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18. Maskless and loved. What a concept!

Boat in the water - Good!

Water in the boat - Not Good!

This is not a new topic since Paul wrote about it to Timothy back in the early church times. The "Godlessness Invasion," however, has ramped up in ways we never would have imagined.

Lawlessness in the world is expected. Hey, sinners will sin. However, those of us who claim Christ as Lord and Savior cannot allow lawlessness and Godlessness in teh Church and in our lives, if we're going to draw people to Him.

From the un-Biblical attitudes and actions to sermons from pulpits that are devoid of truth, too many churches today are little more than social clubs where people come to either perform their due diligence or get their backs patted and told to be nice to each other.

With only nine percent of Christians reading their Bibles daily, the only thing that will keep Godlessness out of the Christian is being neglected. Opinions become gospel when this happens and the Church is sapped of its power to present hope to a hopeless world.

Don't settle for "fake ©Rolex watches." We want the real thing!

Well, is it either or both, when it comes to The Great Commission?

There's no question that it takes both of them to not only reach the lost but keep them solid in the faith. Evangelism alone boasts of about 5 - 15% of those who make a decision for Jesus are still walking with Him. Kind of a "been there, done that" as opposed to having their lives transformed.

True discipleship or disciple making builds the life of faith in a believer. Jay's book, "Jesus Follower - Beyond Belief" lays out great insight for anyone who chooses to be His disciple.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:16 to "be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." That's a huge statement. He takes on the responsibility to live a life of faith in such a way that as he walks in the footsteps of Christ, others can walk in his footsteps until they can walk in Christ's footsteps.

Discipleship is learning.