He Must Emerge 

Undercover Christians are an interesting breed.

There are certain areas where Christianity faces severe persecution. I am not referring to those. That is a different case.

I am talking about those who work in offices, factory floors, schools and universities who attend services on the weekend but never really let it be known that they are Christians. It is a little uncool to profess to be a Christian, what with all the negative connotations linked to being a Christian and all the stereotypes of being out of touch and largely irrelevant. So, far better to avoid all that hassle and look to blend in with the crowd.

Yet as the knowledge of Christ grows and as His life becomes ever more a part of you then certain shifts take place. It is not about having pious displays like overtly saying grace over your corned beef and cucumber sandwiches or making a big deal of saying ‘God bless you’ when someone sneezes. It is not about your sudden obvious distaste for swear words. It is about a distinct expression of care and concern for others that puts you out for the sake of others.

I came across a remarkable story of a man who looked at a dishevelled old couple who were asking for help but were being ignored by passers-by. Some thought they were just beggars looking for money for more booze. The man, however, took the time to hear their need and understood how they had been rejected from getting on a bus because they didn’t have enough money. The man, simply, quietly and discreetly paid the fare to allow them on, but this couple wouldn’t let such an act of kindness go without gratitude. Their first enquiry as beneficiaries of such kindness was if the man was a Christian. When he admitted he was, they had no hesitation in letting the entire bus station know that kindness had been extended to them by a Christian. The man did not seek to gain any attention, but his very kind and selfless act exposed him.

It’s an apparently simple story, but the impact was a clear reminder that as long as the character of Christ has been embedded in the core of your being He must emerge.

It’s tough to remain an undercover Christian under those circumstances.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden