Who You Are In Secret

Privacy is something of great importance in our culture and really is a part of worldwide culture. With the desire to have aspects of our lives that are unknown to the outside world comes the effort to put up hedges. One question for the follower of Christ is, what is going on in your life during those moments of privacy? Who are you in those secret moments of your day or week. There is no doubt that Jesus emphasizes the importance of withdrawing from others to spend time with God the Father. This was modeled in the life of Christ and emphasized as evidence of a sincere faith lived out. When serving others by meeting their need we are to value this as a private act and not something to draw attention to ourselves. The consequences of not have a private life that is focused on drawing close to the one true God is that we begin drawing close to the praise and attention of others. Seeking righteousness in our times of privacy is empowering for our public life of faith. This empowerment is not only for the purposes of being effective in the act but to reinforce the object of your obedience and worship. Whether it is in giving, prayer, or even fasting, Jesus points to starting with private obedience to make sure that your motives are pure when seen by others. This world needs to see a display of righteousness from the people of God. This display must come as an overflow of private worship and devotion in order for God it get the glory that is due Him. We are not to withdraw from the world in complete isolation, as that would be counterproductive in being heralds of the gospel. We are to make disciples and spread the good news of the Gospel for the glory of God. To ensure that we do not seek the building of our own personal kingdom but are contributing to the furthering of God’s kingdom, let us be devoted to private righteousness in seeking the Lord. As the Lord feeds our hunger and thirst for righteousness in private, then we are ready to publicly declare the Gospel with our actions and words. 

Recommended Passages

Matthew 5-6

Matthew 28:19-20

Romans 10:15

Luke 5:16

Matthew 14:23

Mark 1:35

Worry About Your Neighbor

At the heart of the Gospel is the concept of sacrifice. Jesus died on the cross to take the place of the sinner. This was for the permanent sacrifice for the sins of the world. (John3:16-17) This has a great impact immediately on the one who trusts in Jesus for this sacrifice that brings forgiveness in relationship with God the Father. Now that we have this forgiveness we are in a new position of righteousness before the Father because of Jesus the Son. Because of this life-giving sacrifice of Jesus, believers are called to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) in serving the Lord by serving others. Throughout scripture, the call for loving your neighbor as evidence of your close communion with God in Christ is evident. (Matthew 22:34-39) We must serve and sacrifice to meet the needs of our neighbors because of  our trust in Jesus. This service is not only to meet needs, but to reveal the grace and mercy of God through the decency of kindness shown to others. Our neighbor, in scripture, is to extend to all we come in contact with. (Matthew 5:43-48) If how we treat others is within the context of the sacrifice of Christ for our sins, then our actions will be sacrificial and loving no matter the obstacles or circumstances. Let us not limit our neighbors to only those who love us back or those that we agree with us, but extend our service ministry to all that we come in contact with. This will bring glory to the Father and reflect the life we have in Him.

The popular idea that is threatening this aspect of the christian life is that of not worrying about your neighbor. To pay attention to the things that impact your life alone sounds very attractive on the surface. This type of self-isolation actually violates the christian mission and purpose of loving your neighbor. By taking the opportunities to show love and kindness to others you are choosing to worry about someone else other than yourself. You have to worry about your neighbor to be a kind and loving follower of Christ. Let us make a commitment to be sacrificially obedient to the Lord by taking the love we have in Him and pour it into the lives of all people.