Read: Matthew 5:13-16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16
Evangelist Billy Sunday used to tell a story about a Christian who got a job in a
lumber camp whose workers had a reputation for being ungodly. A friend, hearing that the
man had been hired, said to him, "If those lumberjacks every find out you’re a
Christian, you’re going to be in for a hard time!"
After a year, the man decided to return home for a visit. While in town, he met the
friend who had predicted that he would receive ridicule and persecution from the workers
in the lumber camp. "Well," asked the friend, "did they give you a hard
time because you’re a Christian?"
"Oh, no, not at all," the man replied. "They didn’t give me a bit of
trouble – they never even found out!"
I wonder how many believers are like that? Their family, neighbors, and co-workers who
are not believers are completely unaware of their relationship to Christ.
These undercover Christians never do or say anything to give evidence of their
identification with Him.
The Lord wants us as His followers to live for Him openly and to confess Him before
others so that there is absolutely no question about our allegiance. Being a Christian
should never be kept secret!
-Richard W. De Haan
Like a brightly shining light
In the darkness of the night,
We will stand for truth and right –
Let the whole world know! -Peterson
TO BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
IS TO BE A SHAME TO THE GOSPEL.
OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1999 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.
I know the “Be the Light” percpective, but I also know something some people don’t know.
How to reach any lost person for Christ.
Our churches are dieing because the lost are not being reached, and not due to a lack of effort by the church family. But by method.
God named it UNDERCOVER OUTREACH:
If everyone that frequents a local bar or tavern in Islamic controlled territory knows you are a Chistian how many will open thier hearts up to you and speak of the ugly situations in thier life. None! What works there works everywhere. To reach the lost for Jesus, the lost individual must be feeling empty inside. Then they must trust the person God sent to them. And that my friends is where being an undercover Christian is most effective. Do not cast your pearls before swine! God is represented everywhere if someone wants to come to Him, but they are often held hostage by Evil in an evil atmosphere. We must be there in thier world and befriend them and earn their trust before their emptyness swells up inside them. Then we can be bold and our light shines, and we can introduce Christ as the true answer to thier empty life. We must be the smaller light and we must present Jesus Christ as the only pure light letting Him shine brightest to the lost individual. (He must become greater, I must become less.) All the while keeping our secret indentity from the evil people and spirits surrounding our friend and be a true friend to that ONE. Let God’s order in our life show through our daily speach and actions. They will become curiuos about us and when they truly need us they will aproach you and only then do we share with them. Maintaning our secret identity from all others.
Not ever preaching, judging, or losing control or letting out our Born Againness, relying on the Holy Spirit and God’s Grace to carry us through the ugly dark places the lost dwell in. Knowing we are under his protection with confidence that we have nothing to lose because we have given it up already and live daily in our Salvation and His pure Love.
BE UNDERCOVER AGENTS FOR GOD!
Let your light shine in deeds not words until that given moment. Be attentive to the needs around you, listen well speak little and smile. Remember: If you beat a dog and then try and hug it, it will cower away. If you openly point out where people need to change, you are beating them, they will cower from you when you reach to help them.
I think being an Undercover Christian is also mandatory when believing in God will get you killed! We see huge droves coming to Jesus in these places as we speak. I will close. I hope to meet all of you on the other side of life. Heaven will be awe—some!