“Also He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or
under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be
revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.’“
We do not yet know everything about God, so we have
faith. It is mysterious how the Holy
Spirit works in the life of an unbeliever.
A war rages within that individual as the flesh battles the spirit. It is a mystery because no one, except Jesus,
knows the details of what is happening within the heart of that person. The war is not exactly the same for
everyone. Almost always, though, there
is an aspect of pride in the unbeliever that rigorously fights against the
truth about Jesus and their own state of sinful condemnation. Only God knows what it will take for that
individual to surrender. That war may
rage for an extended period of time. As
the person grows closer to accepting the truth, the war within them will become
more and more violent.
When that glorious day arrives and the person surrenders to
their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it is a joyful time for fellow believers
and a time of rejoicing in Heaven. To an
observing unbeliever, the change in the person is a mystery. The unbeliever wonders what has happened to
their friend, and they want that old friend back.
The new believer is a light born into the world, and a light
has been born into the new believer. A
light that reveals the truth about sin, about God’s Holy Word, about eternal
salvation. The purpose of the Gospel has
become crystal clear to the new believer, and they wonder why the rest of the
world does not see it. This is where we
believers, old or new, become responsible.
The world is in darkness and we have the light. Jesus does not want what He has done for us
to be a mystery to those around us. As
He reveals His truths to His disciples, to us, He expects we will share what we
have learned.
“We must expect that what is now done in secret, and from
unseen springs, will shortly be manifested and made known. What is committed to
you in secret should be made manifest by you; for your Master did not give you
talents to be buried, but to be traded with. Let that which is now hid be made
known; for, if it be not manifested by you, it will be manifested against you, will
be produced in evidence of your treachery.” (Matthew Henry)
At some point the Lord will return, and He will reveal all
things. Nothing will be a secret. Knowing this should further inspire us, as
servants of Christ, to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. It should prompt us to be diligent in sharing
the truth with others. When all is done,
can you imagine one of your friends in this world asking you, as they are
condemned to hell for eternity for not surrendering to Christ, why you never tried
to convince them of the truth? Why did
you not try harder to tell them about how you found the way to eternal life? We know that God will provide some way for
that person to know the truth. Still, is
it not your desire that God use you so He can later say ‘well done good and
faithful servant’?
The Apostle Paul reminds us of our responsibility, and the
joy awaiting the faithful steward in hearing praise from God. “Let a
man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of
God. Moreover it is required in stewards
that one be found faithful…Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the
Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and
reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then
each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5)
May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
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