It has been said that the only thing worse than not living or believing what you “preach” is not preaching what you live. It means that saying one thing and doing another is hypocrisy. However, the greater infraction is withholding what you believe. This occurs when we live according to the Scripture, but we dare not speak about it.
Peter addressed this issue in the early church; 1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Peter addressed what we now know as the “hiding disciple.” Nicodemus came to Jesus by night (John 3) because he was not ready to declare himself a follower of Jesus Christ. That apprehension was short-lived. For when Jesus died, and Joseph of Arimathaea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, Nicodemus was there to assist in the Lord’s burial.
John 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
The hidden disciple was no longer hidden. Nicodemus was known from that moment forward as being connected to the teachings of Jesus.
Perhaps it is fear or pride. I cannot tell. However, the modern Christian is not so bold with their salvation. Many would rather retreat than declare the Gospel. Jesus said that whoever is ashamed of Him and His words, upon His return He would be ashamed of them. Paul wrote Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: He went on to tell Timothy not to hold back at testifying about what the Lord has done.
We must not withhold our faith. The world needs to hear our voice and know our testimony. The lost need to hear the message of Acts chapter 2 and have an opportunity to be baptized. I say, let there be no “hidden disciples” in this house. Let it be that everyone is actively spreading the Gospel; making a case for the Lord in every arena of life. It is our Mission!
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole