Closet Christian

By Howard E Wright

What is a "closet Christian?" The story is told of a new Christian who worked with a crew of wicked people during the Summer. When he got back to his church, his fellow Christians asked him how he did in his Christian witness. His answer was the answer of a "closet Christian." He told them, "I did great! They never found out I was a Christian!"

There are many things that are worse than losing our jobs, our fame, our houses and lands, our retirement benefits, our standing in the community or even our very lives. To not live up to your God-given convictions, is to play the hypocrite. Furthermore, you are not only cheating others of an opportunity to have God's love, joy and peace extended to them, but you are also cheating yourself out of being the wonderful person you really are. You are not being true to yourself, your God or your neighbor. Not only this, you are also jeopardizing your chances of going to Heaven.

Jesus said to His disciples as recorded in Mark 8:38, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." This is also found in Luke 9:26. Paul said in Romans 1:16 that he was not "ashamed of the gospel of Christ" and in 2 Timothy 4:7 and 8 he says he "kept the faith" and was looking forward to a "crown of righteousness" given to him and all those who "love His appearing."