Closet Christians

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.

Christians should lead exemplary lives. It is important that we reveal the Source of strength and life who enables us to be different. Jesus is the source of our strength; too often Christians are afraid they will lose friends, be rejected and be called a "holy roller" if they stand for Jesus in the midst of chaos and confusion. When I was a young girl, my Grandmother often encouraged me by saying, "if everyone else is acting up and the whole roof falls in, you act like I told you to do, act with some sense and like you have good upbringing. " What she was saying was: Behave as a nice young lady, with Christian character and behave as one with good values and the Word of God instilled within you. Don't act out of character from your good upbringing to conform with evil. I was taught at a very early age to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding. I was taught not to lie, because liars cannot tarry in the sight of God, and if you lie, you will steal. I was taught a disobedient child's days will be cut short. I learned as a young adult woman through the things I went through, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and to apply the instruction of my Grandmother's teaching in my life. Those Christian principles were taught to me at a young age and reinforced, so that as I got older I would not depart from them, nor the WORD of GOD.

Yes, I have made many mistakes in life and made numerous wrong choices. But, I also learned how to endure hardness as a good soldier in Christ and when I fell into divers temptations to count it all joy! These lessons in life has empowered me not to be a "closet Christian." When God brings you out of a difficult situation and you no that it was no one else but God, you will give Him glory; you will give Him praise.

I was in a very abusive marriage back in the 1980's and was beaten by my ex-husband (2nd marriage) when I got home from church if I praised God too much in church, lifted my hands in reverence to God's love for me; beaten if I was too happy! See, the devil meant to bound me up forever; but I praised God anyway and I prayed my way out of that abusive situation; God brought me out, through my obedience to His Word and obeying the Holy Spirit. Yes, you first must be SAVED, I had to really believe that JESUS died for my sins; he was bruised for my iniquities and wounded for my trangressions, by His stripes I was and am healed. Christian means Christ-like, followers of Jesus and partakers in His sufferings; knowing that the suffering of this world cannot compare to the things we will receive in the world to come; what I like about it is, we also can enjoy the blessings of His riches right now, but we have to "come out of the closet". Secondly, we MUST be filled with The Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you in all ways of Righteousness.

So, I encourage you not to be a Closet Christian-come out of the closet and let God be the head of your life. Jesus said, if you be ashamed to own me before men, I will be ashamed to own you before my Father. I don't know about you, but I did not go through all the terrible things in life, knowing it was only God who brought me through and not give Him the Glory!!!!!

I read a lovely quote that says-"Like a brightly shining light, In the darkness of the night, We will stand for truth and right-Let the whole world know!

It's the life behind the words that makes your testimony effective.

Be blessed.