An Open Life

Ephesians 6:21, 22

²¹ But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; ²² whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

In Christian life, we have been taught that it is important to not boast about one’s talents, riches or even deeds. But, in this context Paul takes great efforts so that everybody learns about his personal life. The interesting thing is that he makes this knowledge about Paul’s personal life a requirement or a lesson for believers.

Displaying our Deeds

In Mathew 5:14-16 Jesus wants our good works to shine upon men so that they would glorify God. But, in the next chapter (6:1) we can see that God would completely ignore them. This is not a contradiction in God’s words, but an important lesson of life. The purpose of Glorifying God should be fulfilled when others see our works and not self-exaltation. We have learnt from John 17 that glory to God is our repentance and holiness. We do not want others to just praise God, but to glorify Him. So, it is required that our lives should be open for others to see.

Further, Jesus says in Mathew 5:14 that we should be a city in a hill that everybody can see and come towards. This city is stable and does not appear and disappear at our will. Similarly, it does not discriminate and lights everybody’s lives. Also, it cannot be hidden means that our words or money can be hidden but the good deeds that are strongly built will shine strongly to change people’s lives. This is required for every Christian that this light automatically spreads from us to others.

Sometimes, we choose not to do injustice and just move away making way for others to commit it. This is selfish and equally dangerous and sinful. We really have to stand up against it. This quality is where we build the city in a hill and put the lamp in a lampstand. Hiding our salvation does no good to anyone.

In Ephesians 5:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:5, Paul calls us Children of the Light. This means that we are a product of a larger light and we need to display every characteristic of the bigger light. In Philippians 2:14-16, we are asked to do every good deed among the evil generation with happiness so that we will be blameless and a light to others. This also ensures that we need to be watchful that the evil generation should see (and not may see).

In John 3:21, we read that anybody who practices the truth comes to the light so that everybody can see him. Here “truth” is not doing good deeds or charity, but righteousness and honesty. If these characters are strongly built into us, then we automatically rise up and live as witnesses. These words are told to Nicodemus as he came in the night. Our acceptance of Christ and repentance should be in the light so that everybody would see that God has taken control.

 Hypocrisy

But, for this cause displaying an alternate personality, that is, hypocrisy is the sin Jesus hated the highest. He could not bear the sight of Pharisees and others who lived an outward holy life. This was the primary teaching in many of His parables like the Good Samaritan and many more. We think that we are not hypocrites and this teaching is for others only.

In Mathew 21:28-32, we read the parable of the two sons which should be compared with the worship we do with all kinds of promises and commitments to God. Actual missionaries do not get any opportunities to worship God with the ambience we enjoy. This worship makes us hypocrites and liars in God’s eyes. We need to do away with these practices of emotional punch-dialogues to God as He clearly knows our intentions. This is the reason why we need to worship God in Spirit and Truth. This spirit is our inner most being which hosts our intentions and ambitions. These should change towards God during and after our worship and we need to try really hard to keep these commitments. A soulish worship is brought forth by creating an ambience and is not in the truth.

Similarly, in the parable of the two builders, (Luke 6:46-49) both the houses look identical in the outside. But deeper, the foundation should be laid on Christ and His love. If we make commitments because of others, the pastor or others like our interest in music, we become hypocrites. So, let us identify what the inspiration is every time we worship so that we are deeply rooted in Him.

In Luke 11:35, Jesus wants us to be careful about the light that we are possessing. If we are not careful, we might have darkness instead of light inside us. This means hypocrisy can be inside us unknowingly. We may think that everything in us is perfect, but there can be darkness instead.

Discernment

It is often said that we should not look at the personal lives of men of God. But, the Bible teaches otherwise. In Titus 1:9, Paul encourages Titus to choose Bishops who convict those who contradict a sound doctrine. If any preaches takes you anywhere other than Christ, it is our responsibility to convict them and bring them to light. The Old Testament instructs to put them to death (Deut 13:5). People use the verse “Judging is wrong” for criticizing based on Mathew 7:1 onwards. But, if this is true, we are not allowed to criticize not only pastors, but even politicians or cinema stars and should accept everybody. It is important for Christians to discern and ensure that a sound doctrine is preached and the preacher lives accordingly.

In the same chapter (7:20), Jesus wants us to know prophets by their fruits. We need to know whose words we are listening to.

Comfort

In Ep 6:22, we read that Paul’s affairs should comfort others. This is the difference between the deeds that glorify God or glorify men. Many testimonies would hurt people by pricking their inabilities. We should ensure that our words encourage others towards holiness and to glorify God.

So, let us live an open life that encourages, builds others towards Jesus.