When the Hidden is Revealed

Jeremy McCool / Spiritual Formation Executive Director

"The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever." 1 Timothy 5:24-25

There are many kinds of people in the world who do many kinds of things. No matter who you choose to be or what you choose to do, your actions will eventually show who you really are. When you stand before Christ, you will have a reputation. The obvious things you have done (whether good or bad) will be known by all, even before you get there. These are things other people judge you by too, looking for “fruit”, or “judging character.”

But the hidden things - the things no one knows about - these will come as a surprise to everyone except you and Jesus on judgment day. And on that day, your character will be shown for what it always really was. The mask will come off, in a very public way.

Many on that day will fall from great heights because they hid nasty secrets behind righteous paintjobs. 1 John 1:9 tells us that it is so much better to confess these things now and watch Him be faithful. Say it out loud. Tarnish your reputation here and trust in grace to bear you back up. Those hidden things that come out later, but they can be forgiven now - indeed Christ is waiting to forgive you. He's waiting on you.

But on that day, did you know that many will also rise? Even some from low, low depths. Those who made it their life's work to do good things in secret, things they never told anyone else. Maybe what's known about their lives is humdrum or not all that good necessarily. But what is unknown will score them jewel-studded crowns in heaven that they can throw back at Jesus’ feet as they truly act only for an audience of One.

So, what reputation do you want to meet you when you stand before God? What sin are you hiding that needs to be revealed now so it doesn't hit you in the face later? And what good things are you doing that no one knows about now, that Jesus tells us will be rewarded later? What are or could you be doing to bring glory to Christ and not to you?

Let's be a people who won't have any hidden sin come out on judgement day (because we confess it all, daily!), but LOTS of hidden blessings - things we did for others that almost no one ever knew about. This is the only kind of deed that will truly give you a good reputation in heaven, because heaven is the only place anyone but God will ever know about it. As we imitate Christ in humility and selflessness, we will bear abundant fruit for God's glory.