Mike Focht 11/3/2023
The Bible reveals that each of us has something secret. Every person has a secret life. The fact of our secret life—our life that is known only to God and us—is well established. What remains in question is the quality and character of our secret life.
Typically, secrets tend to carry a negative connotation, especially when it comes to our personal lives. David knew the fear of his own secret life when he prayed, Cleanse me from secret faults, and confessed, You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
God reminds us that our secret lives are only temporary at best. What is secret here will not remain so. Solomon was wise enough to know that God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. And Jesus Himself clearly stated that Nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
These are essential warnings, but do not be confused; Jesus is not warning us about having a secret life. Jesus’ focus is to help us remember that our secret life will soon be brought into the light and judged. The Scriptures never discourage us from having a secret life. In fact, the Bible encourages the exact opposite.
Jesus exhorts all His followers to establish the character of their secret life in particular ways. Jesus first tells us that our secret life should consist of charitable deeds. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
We should eagerly step into our day and look to establish a history of secret good works. This attitude will be the opposite of the world and often alien to common Christian practice, but it will be humble obedience to Christ’s clear commands. Jesus is encouraging a life known only between Him and me on this side of heaven.
The temptation to overlook opportunities that will never receive public notice, thanks, and attention this side of heaven weighs on each of us. Still, we are to allow God’s Word to transform our perspective of those unseen moments to become the very building blocks of the secret life Jesus calls us to! Every day, we should ask Christ to lead us to good works known only by Him and me.
Jesus encourages all His followers to establish a secret life of prayer. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
We who follow Christ should also build a secret history of intercession, blessings, and petitions regarding all men. Prayer should fill those moments others will never see on earth. We should accomplish spiritual work daily through prayers that no one will ever see or know until our secrets are made manifest.
Unfortunately, in this day of titillating communication and trite information, our moments of secret thought are often quickly, easily, and gladly surrendered to worldliness and sin. The thoughts and words that fill our lives behind closed doors will one day be made manifest. O that we would learn to surrender our silent moments to Him so that they may one day be found to the praise of His glory!
There is one other thing we should not miss in Jesus’ exhortation. Do you notice the encouraging word our Savior gives to us? Our Father is in the secret place! Far from being fearful or a drudgery, the Biblically encouraged secret life is a life hidden from other men but near our Father. My brothers and sisters in Christ, never fear that this secret life of yours is a life that is unhealthy, unworthy, or just plain overlooked. Our Father is in the secret place!
The Scriptures are clear. We all have our own little secret life. If that causes you to fear, pray for cleansing as David did and establish a secret life with no shame. God calls us each to a secret life before Him, encouraging us to realize, live, and fill it with good things. Jesus promises us that as we do, our Father will meet us there and that one day soon, the life that we have lived will be manifested, and each will have its proper reward. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Enjoy your little secrets, my brothers and sisters. Establish as many of them as you can! Jesus is encouraging you to do so. He, the Son of Man, who eternally dwelt in the secret place of the Most High, knows that they will add a rich depth to your fellowship with your Heavenly Father.