Bible Reading Blog
“Nothing is Hidden”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Luke 12
The internet has become an integral part of our lives. Nearly everyone owns a smart device enabling us to connect with people and businesses across the globe with the tap of our finger. Technology is empowering… but it is also, frightening. Have you ever talked about buying a new car and all of a sudden you start seeing ads for that car? The integration of technology into our lives has made us keenly aware that others are paying attention to us.
We sometimes like to think that we have moments of privacy when no one sees what we do or knows what we think. That may be true with reference to people, but this is not true of God. His omniscience penetrates every part of our lives.
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12.2-3)
God knows even the most mundane details of our lives (Luke 12.7). But more than that, he knows the things we don’t want anyone else to know. “you discern my thoughts from afar… Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139.2, 4)
A being who knows all our secrets should be feared; hence why Jesus admonishes his disciples in this way (Luke 12.4-5). But Jesus isn’t using a scare tactic to coerce people into following God. He’s presenting a stark reality for those who refuse to acknowledge the presence of God. Awareness of God’s presence promotes greater humility, clearer thinking and better decisions.
Respect for his intimate knowledge of our lives and our accountability to him means we will conduct our lives like an open book, where we have nothing to hide. If we are righteous before God, we have nothing to fear from him. As 1 John 3.1-3 suggests, those who live in light of the hope of the return of God, knowing that he knows everything, will purify themselves with the hope of his return and the responsibility it puts on us to be faithful.
If your every thought and action were on display for all to see, how would you feel about that? Others may not be privvy to this, but there is never a moment too insignificant that God is not watching. Not with an eye to destroy us but to discipline us (Hebrews 12.5-13). However, if we reject his discipline, it will not end well for us (see Hebrews 12). And so, we must practice righteousness and so become more like our Father.
“...be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, ...” (2 Peter 3.14-15)
