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Secret Discipleship? Tim Smelser Many times it is hard to keep a secret. I am afraid, however, that the one area in which we are very good at being secretive is our religion. Paul stated that he was not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17), and understandably Christ wants us to stand up for Him rather than shying away in a cowardly fashion. It is easy for us to take a stand for Christ on Sunday and Wednesday, but what about when we aren't around other Christians? In John 19:38, we read of a man named Joseph from Arimathaea who was a secret disciple of Christ. Luke tells us that Joseph was a good and righteous man who did not consent to Jesus' crucifixion and who was looking for the kingdom of God. He eventually came forward, showing his belief in Jesus as he participated in the burial of our Lord. But there were other Jewish rulers, like Joseph, who believed in Jesus, yet for fear of the Jews, "they did not confess it . . . loving the glory of men more than the glory of God." (John 12:42-43). As followers of Christ, we are seen as lights to the world. We are not to hide this light, but rather let it shine (Matthew 5:14-15). If we keep our discipleship a secret, how can we be winning souls to Christ? Paul was not ashamed (as was already noted) and Peter tells us not to be ashamed even if we suffer as Christians (1 Peter 4:16). Jesus warns in Mark 8:38, "For whoever will be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." We cannot be secretive disciples of Christ, hiding our lights from the world. We must instead stand up for our Savior and show people His love, His might and His power to save! |
