Closet Christians

Today’s Passages – John 12 – 13; Proverbs 11

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” – (John 12:42-43)

We often talk to our children about peer pressure, encouraging them to not follow the crowd, and instead live their lives boldly according to principle. Peer pressure is not something that just affects young people, however. Most adults also live their lives in a form of bondage that causes them to adapt to the world around them. Unfortunately, the same can be said about most Christian adults. When they are around the people of the church, they act like Christians and talk like Christians; but when they get out into the world, they want to fit in with them as well.  In our passage today we read about these religious leaders of Israel that secretly believed in Jesus. Nicodemus was no doubt part of this crowd. You will recall from John chapter 3 that Nicodemus was the one who came to Jesus by night, probably because he didn’t want any of his friends to see him.

Christians are supposed to be salt and light to this world. We do not have the luxury as God’s ambassadors to be chameleons, adapting to every group we are with. We need to be Christians all of the time. When we are with our co-workers, or with extended family, or with the other parents of the kids that play sports with our child, we need to remember that our primary function in life is to draw attention to the Saviour: to glorify Him in all things. Stop trying to please or be like everybody, and have enough guts to take a stand for the Lord. You don’t have to be unkind or obnoxious: just be a Christian; and Christians should be different from the world around them.

We are living in a time period where the world, more than ever before, needs to see some real Christians who truly live out their faith. Most of today’s churches have adopted a people-pleasing, seeker-sensitive brand of Christianity. These churches make it their main goal to give people whatever they want. We have adapted Burger King’s “Have It Your Way” logo to our churches. The problem is that if we are just like the world around us, why would they ever desire to be one of us. I became a Christian because I saw something different, something real in the people that claimed the name of Christ. They were not like me. They had something I didn’t have, and I wanted it.

Christian, why don’t you come out of the closet, and start living like a blood-washed Christian should live. Be the salt and light that God expects you to be. Look deep within you, and find your backbone. It’s there somewhere. Stop compromising what you believe, and show the world that you belong to Christ, and that you are not ashamed of it.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” – (2 Corinthians 6:17)

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – (Mark 8:38)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” – (Romans 1:16)