Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Christ spoke the words to disciples sent out as sheep among wolves who would be handed over to councils, scourged in synagogues, brought before governors and kings, betrayed even to death, and hated for His name's sake. They were commanded not to fear those men, because nothing covered will fail to be revealed and nothing hidden will fail to be known. The hidden things will be brought to light and what is concealed will become known, so hostility and ridicule give no reason for fear.
What He tells in darkness is to be spoken in light, and what is heard privately is to be preached openly upon the housetops, proclaiming publicly the truth entrusted to them with avowed principles and no concealment. The disciple is not above his Master but must be as Him, sharing His reproach when He is called Beelzebub. Endurance to the end brings salvation, and when delivered up there is no need for anxious thought, for the Spirit of the Father will speak through them. When persecuted in one city they are to flee to another rather than needlessly imperil life, and continue to bear the Bible message in other places.
Believers are to unfurl their colors and stand bravely for the right, so the world may know where they will be found in time of trial. They are to shun no responsibility, knowing they are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men, and that no one can serve both God and Baal. The Lord's secret is shared with those who fear Him and keep His commandments.
It is one of God's precious promises to be stored in mind and heart, keeping the mind stayed upon His word under a storm of stinging, fault-finding words. When ill-treated or wrongfully accused it is to be repeated inwardly instead of returning an angry answer, meeting anger with silence in a tender, forbearing spirit while trusting God to act. Nothing done in secret remains hidden from God or escapes judgment. Secret evil thoughts, unchaste looks, deeds done in darkness, careless words, and seemingly small acts of indifference or selfishness are all observed and weighed, revealing whether character reflects Christ or Satan.
Every action, neglect, unkind word, and influence will be revealed and weighed in God's judgment, and even what seems insignificant matters for righteousness or unrighteousness. All are judged according to the light they received and whether they accepted or rejected it, with rejected light bringing condemnation, while those with less light who accept salvation may receive eternal life. David's secret sin illustrates this, for what he tried to bury from human sight and knowledge was exposed when Nathan confronted him and its consequences were declared openly. So also deceit in a child's conduct cannot remain concealed from God but will be exposed and receive its fitting outcome. Parents are therefore not to be reassured by appearances or by what children say in their presence, but to recognize the danger of concealed sin and act to recover them.
Christ spoke the words to disciples sent out as sheep among wolves who would be handed over to councils, scourged in synagogues, brought before governors and kings, betrayed even to death, and hated for His name's sake. They were commanded not to fear those men, because nothing covered will fail to be revealed and nothing hidden will fail to be known. The hidden things will be brought to light and what is concealed will become known, so hostility and ridicule give no reason for fear.
What He tells in darkness is to be spoken in light, and what is heard privately is to be preached openly upon the housetops, proclaiming publicly the truth entrusted to them with avowed principles and no concealment. The disciple is not above his Master but must be as Him, sharing His reproach when He is called Beelzebub. Endurance to the end brings salvation, and when delivered up there is no need for anxious thought, for the Spirit of the Father will speak through them. When persecuted in one city they are to flee to another rather than needlessly imperil life, and continue to bear the Bible message in other places.
Believers are to unfurl their colors and stand bravely for the right, so the world may know where they will be found in time of trial. They are to shun no responsibility, knowing they are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men, and that no one can serve both God and Baal. The Lord's secret is shared with those who fear Him and keep His commandments.
It is one of God's precious promises to be stored in mind and heart, keeping the mind stayed upon His word under a storm of stinging, fault-finding words. When ill-treated or wrongfully accused it is to be repeated inwardly instead of returning an angry answer, meeting anger with silence in a tender, forbearing spirit while trusting God to act. Nothing done in secret remains hidden from God or escapes judgment. Secret evil thoughts, unchaste looks, deeds done in darkness, careless words, and seemingly small acts of indifference or selfishness are all observed and weighed, revealing whether character reflects Christ or Satan.
Every action, neglect, unkind word, and influence will be revealed and weighed in God's judgment, and even what seems insignificant matters for righteousness or unrighteousness. All are judged according to the light they received and whether they accepted or rejected it, with rejected light bringing condemnation, while those with less light who accept salvation may receive eternal life. David's secret sin illustrates this, for what he tried to bury from human sight and knowledge was exposed when Nathan confronted him and its consequences were declared openly. So also deceit in a child's conduct cannot remain concealed from God but will be exposed and receive its fitting outcome. Parents are therefore not to be reassured by appearances or by what children say in their presence, but to recognize the danger of concealed sin and act to recover them.