There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
The hypocrisy of the Pharisees was a strategy that would not work in the long-term. Even in history it is often the case that things that people try to hide, especially when they are deceptive and devious, eventually come to light, given enough time. It takes only one fault in an otherwise carefully performed act to give the game away. It is true that in this life some people do seem to die without facing consequences for their lies. But that is really still a short-term perspective, for the day of judgment will reveal any inner inconsistencies with one's outer performance.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
The other side of the inevitability of this revelation is that we must not keep within us things that are meant for the whole world. We ought not fear to speak up for others, for justice, and especially for the Kingdom, in order to protect ourselves from being associated with them. All of these things will eventually come to light. It will be better for the world if we help prepare for that day by speaking of them now. It is insufficient to have such knowledge within our hearts. If we don't allow it to motivate and influence us it will not truly define us. If we hear the word but do not in fact build our lives upon it we will eventually find that we lack foundations.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
Our fears tend to be based more on temporary consequences and less on the results that endure unto eternity. It's easy to worry about what someone will think if we say something about Jesus. The day of judgment seems too distant to merit much concern. This is why the psalmist asked God to, "teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (see Psalm 90:12). We need to keep the last day, on which the quality of our work will be tested and revealed (see First Corinthians 3:13), that we need to keep in mind.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows.
The last day need not fill us with dread, as though the one who has the power to cast into Gehenna is looking for an excuse to do so. It is rather the case that our confidence in his love for us should motivate us to look forward to that day. The idea that we should fear him is largely about fearing our own all too proven ability to reject his love for us, our ability to fail to respond to his love as we know we should, to settle for the mediocrity of life without him. But the more aware of his love we become, and the more we treasure that love, the more confidence we may have that it will be that same love that defines our eternity.
Passion, Kristian Stanfill - One Thing Remains
No comments:
Post a Comment