Unmasking the Real Issue
An Appeal to Logic and Reason in Christians
I just signed out of Facebook again for a while. It has become a place so full of anxiety and frustration, angst and anger, that I cannot tolerate it well.
The latest odd argument:
Masks are for dumb sheeples and bring us one step closer to mark of the beast.
In a way, I see the (slippery) slope these arguments roll down. Masks don’t really work; a coronavirus particle is around 120 nanometers in size. An N95 mask only filters to 300 nanometers.
So those arguing that even N95 masks don’t work are only partly right. The virus in isolation could indeed slip on through.
The problem is that the virus can’t exist in isolation. It must be “connected” to other molecules, usually snot or spit. When connected to these molecules, the virus is indeed too large and will be filtered by N95 masks.
I see this as a bigger issue. People of faith are in the minority. We have lived for years trying to fight mandates and rules that violate what we believe is right based on our interpretation and application of our holy books.
We offend the majority constantly with our truth (and Truth). We rub shoulders with those who always find our faith and strength of character offensive.
And we’re starting to pick up the spirit of offense. We’re using it against each other over foolish arguments and pretensions that the enemy of our soul is using to divide us at a critical time when we should stop attacking each other, start coming together, and begin to pray in earnest.
Jesus said it best in Matthew 12:25 (taken out of context and quoted from the Amplified Bible Classic Edition):
And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand.
As Christians, wearing a mask or not wearing a mask is not truly the spiritual issue we face. The issue we face is our lack of spiritual unity.
As Paul advised Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:23–24, we must have a different approach (quoted from the Complete Jewish Bible):
But stay away from stupid and ignorant controversies — you know that they lead to fights, and a slave of the Lord shouldn’t fight. On the contrary, he should be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and not resentful when mistreated.
Additionally, it has been argued that masks are idols. While the Bible never directly addresses masks, it does address idols, or more accurately it addresses what should be done with things tied to idols, particularly food.
From 1 Corinthians 8:1–10 (The Passion Translation):
Now let me address the issue of food offered in sacrifice to idols. It seems that everyone believes his own opinion is right on this matter. How easily we get puffed up over our opinions! But love builds up the structure of our new life. If anyone thinks of himself as a know-it-all, he still has a lot to learn. But if a person passionately loves God, he will possess the knowledge of God.
Concerning food sacrificed as offerings to idols, we all know that an idol is nothing, for there is no God but one. Although there may be many so-called gods in this world, and in heaven there may be many “gods,” “lords,” and “masters,” yet for us there is only one God — the Father. He is the source of all things, and our lives are lived for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus, the Anointed One, through whom we and all things exist.
But not everyone has this revelation. For some were formerly idolaters, who consider idols as real and living. That’s why they consider the food offered to that “god” as defiled. And their weak consciences become defiled if they eat it. Yes, we know that what you eat will not bring you closer to God. You are no better if you don’t eat certain foods and no better if you do. But you must be careful that the liberty you exercise in eating food offered to idols doesn’t offend the weak believers. For if a believer with a weak conscience sees you, who have a greater understanding, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t this be a temptation to him to violate his own conscience and eat food offered to idols?
Whether we wear a mask or not, the real issue is the state of our soul and whether we have a personal relationship with Jesus, for that is the only Name under heaven by which men are saved.
This is not an argument we can win by being pretentious and foolish, divisive and argumentative.
We can only win this argument by the lives we lead. Our lives must show faith in the Lord and love for each other.
Side Note:
I admit that lately some of my pieces could be argued as casting stones. Jesus Himself warned that only those without sin should cast a stone first.
However, I am trying to keep a positive tone and shed light on those areas that take away credibility from Christians. This is based on my past experience walking in the world and with the church. I believe that you cannot fix a problem unless you can talk about it. Many of these pieces are designed and inspired to shed light and call us to a deeper level of maturity that brings authenticity and credibility.
