23^rd January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: COME OUT OF HIDING

THEME SCRIPTURE: "So he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." Genesis 3:10 NKJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. Why do some Christians live a double life--a private life different from public life?

Adam and his wife had sinned against God (Gen 3:6). They realized that they were naked and immediately they sewed fig leaves to cover themselves somehow (Gen 3:7). Not too long after, the man and his wife heard the voice of the Lord walking in the cool of the garden. Knowing that they have sinned, the man and the wife went to hide from God's presence among the trees of the garden (Gen 3:8). Why did Adam and his wife went hiding? Simply, because of shame.

There are many Christians who are living their lives in hiding because of shame. They are still ashamed of their past and what they have done. Some are also ashamed of the libes they are living in secret. As a result, they are living a double life.

A life of duality is a hypocritical life. Duality is when a man chooses to wear the mask of the opposite. The Pharisees and scribes in Jesus' day were good at this life. They loved to go around in long robes [appearing righteous] but deep within it is all for a show. They loved greetings in the marketplace and high seats in the synagogue. They devour the house of widows and in pretense, make long prayers to look more righteous.

Beloved, a pretentious person or hypocrite is one who pretends to have a virtue he does not really have. He pretends to be loving but deep within he is a hateful person. Others pretend to be righteous but in secret, they are not living righteously.

Jesus did call out the religious leaders in his days. He called them hypocrites. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” (Matt 23:25-26). People who are hiding make a conscious effort to keep the outside [public appearance] clean but are doing what they know is not of God in private. They are like cups or plates that are clean on the side but terrible [or unclean] inside.

Precious one, when the real person inside of you comes out of hiding, there will be the need to deal with some dirt out of our lives.

It begins by realizing that God sees everything, and he already knows our private lives. We will have to accept that a life of duality is a deceptive life, and the one being deceived is yourself. Further, instead of sewing a covering with fig leaves and hiding among the trees, bring your challenges to Jesus. Our struggles are His concern. He alone is capable of helping us clean the inside of our cups so that the outside will also be clean. Be it addiction, compulsive behaviors, emotional slavery, pride, greed, etc. Jesus is the answer. Come out from hiding and you will never be ashamed anymore.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 23:23-35

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Which of your lifestyle have you been keeping from public notice?

2. Do you see yourself as a hypocrite in some way as a Christian?

PRAYER

Eternal Father, please help me to see the inside of my heart. A life of duality I surrender them all. In Jesus' precious name, every shamefulness I am living with, and hiding, I surrender them all. Glory to God.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Matthew 23; Genesis 41; Psalm 23