Tag: Nothing is Hidden

Transparency with God…

Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

At first glance, our Verse of the Day provides us encouragement as Jesus shares how the Father values each one of us. The idiom or metaphor of numbering the hairs on our heads indicates that our Heavenly Father knows us intimately. He is aware of our every problem, every need, every situation … and is concerned about every aspect of our lives. It is reflective of what King David encouraged: “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. (Cf. Psalm 55:22) And Peter recounted this truth when he wrote: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (Cf. 1 Peter 5:7)

But what I found challenging is the surrounding context in which our passage is found. I’ll reprint it here for us:

Luke 12:1-12 (NIV)

1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to His disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

This larger context creates some theological tension for us. First, we are warned about the deception of hypocrisy in our lives. Jesus indicates it will be exposed. Then He shifts to “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more; rather, fear the One who has authority over your eternal destiny. Yes, fear Him!” Then we are assured that God knows us intimately and we are valued, and He encouraged: “Do not be afraid.” Then we are admonished regarding our profession of faith and its impact upon our forgiveness. I mean, there is a lot to consider here. But the question that comes to my mind is whether each one of these “teachings” are directly connected to the other, or if they are simply being presented by Luke as a “list” of teachings that Jesus was communicating to those who gathered to hear Him … similar to how we see various Proverbs being presented.

When I read the commentaries of some notable bible scholars on Luke 12, I could not find a consensus on the question I posed. Some commentators broke out each “discourse” within Luke 12:1-12 as I have outlined them here as separate “small sermons.” The idea is that each topic has its own application as we allow the teachings of Jesus to impact us. Notice how Jesus begins each “topic” with the words: “I tell you.” To me this indicates a separation of thoughts or messages; however, I find here an overall theme of how our relationship with God is to be viewed, understood, and expressed. And, perhaps, that is what our application should be … understanding that our fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus must be based on truth and sincere faith. We do not have to be afraid of our future if we have reverence for God and place our complete trust in Christ Jesus. To me, this is the core message being taught by Jesus. Jesus is affirming that we can trust Him, but we must be humble and honest in our willingness to confess Him as Lord! When tested (and we will be tested), the evidence of sincere faith will be manifested to all. Our true faith will be exposed and will be seen by those around us … as it is already known to God.

So, I think this is an important lesson for us to embrace. The truth will always be exposed in the light. There is no place for hypocrisy with God. We deceive ourselves if we think our hidden sins are not known. We might fool people, but we will never fool God. He knows and sees all things done in secret. And so, perhaps, that is the warning for us to fear God … the One who has authority over our eternity after our physical death here on earth. Our faith is being tested each day … each situation … each choice or decision we make for ourselves. And I believe this passage instructs us to view our relationship with God in this context of truth and light. God knows each of us intimately; and He desires us to know Him intimately as well. I believe it is best to start with complete honesty with God and ourselves. If the Spirit is prompting repentance, then follow through with it. As John advised: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar and His word is not in us.” (Cf. 1 John 1:8-10)

Lord Jesus, thank you for your words that challenge us today. As we consider what you are teaching, I pray each of us will self-examine our hearts and see the truth you have brought to light. May our hearts embrace all you have spoken, and may we put it into practice. In your wonderful, powerful name, I pray. Amen….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:5

There Are No Secrets…

Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV)

Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Our Verse of the Day is a great reminder of the inescapable presence of God. Through the Prophet Jeremiah, God asks His people some pointed questions which we would be wise to consider: “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. While the context is directed at the false prophets who spoke with a sense of impunity – as though God would not know their misleading words to the people and causing them to go astray from the Truth and the Author of it.  I encourage you to read the entire Chapter 23 for the full context.  However, the point being made here is that God sees everything that is done whether in light or darkness … whether in the open or in hidden places.

I believe this truth is something that we should consider in our hearts.  From the beginning, man has attempted to hide from the presence of God because of our disobedience and knowledge of sin:

Genesis 3:8-11 (NIV)

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so, I hid.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

Even now, in our generation, we are confronted by the Word of God which declares: “The Lord God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand … any who seek Him. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Cf. Psalm 14:2-3; Psalm 52:2-3) I am reminded of what King David penned from his meditation:

Psalm 139:1-12 (NIV)

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

We have the words of Jesus, the Son of David, who further awakens us to this truth:

Luke 12:1-5 (NIV)

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to His disciples, saying: “First of all, be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.

And we have Apostolic confirmation that believers need to be fully aware of our hidden thoughts and conduct … for which we must give account:

Hebrews 12:12-13 (NIV)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

I think that we can see the application outlined for us here.  When we realize that the presence of God fills all of creation whether seen or unseen, we should begin to embrace this truth and to acknowledge that our natural inclination has been to hide from God what cannot be hidden. He knows us and everything about us quite intimately! And because of His great love and compassion, God sent His Son to atone for our disobedience and sin. Jesus is our High Priest, and He draws us to Himself … to the right hand of God the Father … to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and help us in our time of need. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Cf. Romans 3:23-24)

My friends, there is nothing hidden from the sight of God. The thoughts and inclinations of our hearts are uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. I encourage us to be honest and truthful before God … to confess our sins … to have them covered by His atoning blood … to become purified from all unrighteousness … and to walk in the light of truth. As Jesus warned, “Be on your guard against hypocrisy because there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” John admonished, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (Cf. John 3:19-21) Indeed, Jesus pronounced woes upon those who lived in hypocrisy. (Cf. Matthew 23) I pray we will heed what the Holy Spirit is impressing upon us today. Let us confess our sins and cleanse our hearts so that we might be instruments for special purposes, made holy and useful to the Master, and prepared to do every good work in these latter days. (Cf. 2 Timothy 2:21)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us. ~ 1 John 1:5-10

The God Who Sees

Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV)

Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Through the Prophet Jeremiah, God asks His people some pointed questions which we would be wise to consider….

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NKJV)

23 “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places so I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

While the context is directed at the false prophets who spoke with a sense of impunity – as though God would not know their misleading words to the people or causing them to go astray from the Truth and the Author of it.  I encourage you to read the entire chapter for the full context.  However, the point being made here is that God sees everything that is done whether in light or darkness … whether in the open or in hidden places.  As David pondered:

Psalm 139:1-7 (NKJV)

1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

It is just not possible to ever be out of the presence of God.  God fills all heaven and earth and everything in them … including you and I … our thoughts, words, and deeds!  And so God is reminding us this morning … to enter the secret place to find Him – not to hide from Him.  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. (Cf. Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17, 12:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5) Everything we do is exposed in the light of God.  So He invites us to live in the light of His presence … to live in the Truth at all times.  I believe that is His message to us this morning.  Amen.

So Now You Know….

Have a Blessed Day!