Are you hidden?

Did you know as a Christian you are to life a life as one who is hidden? That’s right, Christians are to be hidden! You are probably thinking, how this cannot possibly be true especially in light of Matthew 5:14-16 which tells us to “let our light so shine before men.” It seems like quite a contradictory statement that Christians are to live a life which is hidden, but it is true!

In writing his letter to the church at Colossae Paul explains to them the need for them to be hidden if they are followers of Christ. Consider what Paul says in Colossians 3:1-3, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the Earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Paul is saying through inspiration, that those who have obeyed the gospel of Christ by being baptized for the remission of their sins are to change their mindsets. Christians are to have as our central focus, the will of God. By being raised with Christ in baptism Christians have made an agreement to be faithful to Him and His will. In other words, when people see us living out our daily lives, they should see Christ.

In being hidden in Christ, Paul says there are certain things we should put away such as, sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness. In order to be hidden in Christ, the person we were before we became Christians, our old self, must be put off.

So how do we reconcile the two Bible truths? We are supposed to let our lights shine before men but also be hidden in Christ. It is simply this, Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. While we live in this world, we should be living in such a way that it is plain to see that Jesus is guiding our steps through His word. Jesus prayed that his disciples be kept from the evil one but not taken out of the world (John 17:15). Let each of us strive to be hidden!