God given understanding is a treasure, don’t you think? It’s funny that as I started to apply the words of Jesus to my life many, many years ago….a couple of things happened. I started to see the difference His wisdom and a relationship with Him made in my life and I wanted to know even more……. because the result for me was a very blessed life (I am not saying that everything now goes smoothly, but that there is great blessing in each day). I also started to see that I wanted others around me to share in this great blessing because simply put, I am not selfish.
Mark 4:21-23 (TNIV)
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
There is a song by the band Big Tent Revival called, “If Loving God Was A Crime (I’d be an Outlaw)”. The question is, would you be convicted? How often is your faith hidden from sight? How often are you reluctant to be identified as a Christ follower? Does your life show people around you how to find Jesus and how to accept the great gift that results in blessedness in their lives? Or is your lamp hidden and therefore not shining the light of Jesus to others?
What are your “baskets” that are hiding the light of Jesus….complacency, resentment, embarrassment, stubbornness of heart, or maybe simple disobedience?
It’s funny that I often say that Jesus speaks the truth “upside down”, meaning that the REAL truths in life are not always apparent but are indeed TRUTHS about life. Their meanings may seem “hidden” compared to the wisdom of the world but the results of applying these truths are very apparent in their result of blessedness in our lives.
Things such as, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16, as it applies to simple leadership and generosity), or “Those who have will be given more; as for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Mark 4:25, this is not about things, but about wisdom indeed)…or, “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33, as it applies to salvation). There are many more….you get the point.
The truths of Jesus often require clear and helpful explanation to others. The best explanation is the explanation of how these truths have, when applied to your life, impacted your life. We often call this your testimony. As the light of Jesus has filled your life (as light fills a room)….it drives away spiritual darkness (light in a room drives away darkness).
It is so important that we never hide in the closet something as important as what Jesus is doing in our lives. My question is this: If loving God were a crime….is there enough witness to His love in your life to convict you? Maybe it’s time to come out of hiding…just sayin’….