Focus: A Few Things That Can't Hide

Text: Lk.7:5

"For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue."

There are things that cannot hide if we truly possess them. Regardless of how much or how long a woman tries to hide her pregnancy, it will eventually show itself. Let me point a few things that, if you really possess them, would refuse to hide.

*Good works

The elders of the Jews approached Jesus Christ on behalf of a certain centurion whose servant was at the point of death. They interceded for him and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to help him out. They testified to Christ of how good the centurion was to them, and the good things he had done for the Jewish nation. His love for the Jews and good works could not be hidden.

Before we move on, I need to make a point. The elders told Jesus that the man was WORTHY of His help. In other words, the Roman centurion was deserving of Jesus' help. As far as they were concerned, the man had done some noble deeds that put him in a position to receive any favors. But as the Lord was coming along the way, the centurion sent a word, saying, "Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am NOT WORTHY that thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither THOUGHT I myself WORTHY to come unto thee…" The elders say, "He is worthy." But the man himself says, "I am not worthy." The word 'worthy' didn't even as much as crossed his mind.

He had no sense of entitlement. He never thought or saw the good he had done as anything to brag about. Our good works don't define us; they describe us. We are not worthy by works, but by being in Christ. Christ makes us worthy, not our works. Our sufficiency is of God. Don't let the praises of men get into your head. Let's cultivate the attitude and develop the virtue of humility. Humility is the substructure of holiness and honor. Good works cannot be hidden.

*Faith

Mt.9:2 says, "Jesus SEEING their FAITH…" Faith is never a hidden thing. Jesus Christ knows if you have faith or not. Faith transcends words. Faith is touchable and seeable. Faith has roots and fruits. It is verifiable. Faith cannot thrive without proofs.

*Grace

Act.11:23 says, "Who, when he came, and had SEEN the GRACE of God, was glad…" Grace is never a hidden thing. It is written that "the grace of God that brings salvation has APPEARED to all men." Barnabas saw the grace of God upon the church of Antioch. Grace is noticeable. It can't hide.

*Glory

Jh.1:14 says, "And the Word was made flesh…and we BEHELD his GLORY…" This is the glory of the enfleshed word. The glory of the incarnate word. Glory in all its forms can never be hidden. From the inside of you it comes upon you. Joseph said to his brothers, "Ye shall TELL my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have SEEN…" (Gen.45:13). Glory can't hide. No, not for long!

*Love

Jh.11:3,36 says, "Lord, behold, he whom thou LOVEST is sick… Behold how he LOVED him." Mary and Martha knew of Jesus' love for their brother. It was not a hidden matter. The Jews also could see and feel the love, and they voiced it out. Oh, the authenticity, originality, uniqueness, totality, immensity, and intensity of His love for us! Truly, love, like cough, cannot be hidden. John says, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us…" Even the blind can feel the presence and power of love.

*Christ Jesus

Mk.2:1 says, "And it was NOISED that he was in the house." Also, Mk.7:24 says, "…He…entered into an house, and would have no man know it: BUT HE COULD NOT BE HID." Jesus Christ in your life and home cannot be hidden. Wherever He is, He unveils Himself and takes charge. In my life, I want Him not only to be present, but also to be prominent and preeminent.

I can go on and on. What about joy? You can't hide it. What about the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is dominant wherever he is domiciled.

You can't hide these truths or spiritual things, except you don't have them.

Light is never hidden. It shines for all to see. All that is good belongs to the light, and all that is evil belongs to the darkness. The good you do cannot be hidden. Jesus Christ says, "I know thy works." Apart from Christ knowing, men too see your good works. Let the world see the beauty and blessings of God in your life.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter