C A R L B. G A R N E R

CHRISTIANS IN THE CLOSET

No one is denying that most people who claim to be ³Christians² have done a good job of hiding that fact. The ³closet Christian² is now a major discussion item, even among the heads of the world¹s major denominations. Many want to be known as a Christian and have their name on the roll somewhere, but do not want their boss, their neighbor, their golf or fishing partners, or even their own family to know it. Why the sudden hesitance to let others know of their convictions? Social scientists suggest many reasons, but say it is usually a fear of being perceived as radical or different. While many of those who embrace this idea are in the myriad groups of denominational religions, some are in the church that Jesus purchased with His own blood, Acts 20:28. When a matter of controversy arises, instead of joining in and standing up for the truth, many hide behind a newspaper or ³need to go to the powder room.² As a result, truth is not made known, and the individual Christian becomes more deeply hidden in his/her closet.

Consider the following verses of scripture that bear on this subject:
³But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life,² Proverbs 4:18-23.
³That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,² Philippians 2:15.
In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus adds, ³Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.² You just can¹t be a Christian and hide ³in the closet.²

STAND OUT IN A CROWD
It is possible for us to be humble and gentle without being wallflowers. It does not take a blustery, egotistical person to stand out in a crowd when justice and right behavior are under attack. To stand by when another is assaulted or murdered is considered cowardice of the most perverse kind. So it is when we hide ourselves behind another when we should be standing out. Your righteous actions will be seen by others, and just as we read in Matthew 5:16, when they are observed, the glory can go to our Father in heaven. We should stand out in our speech, the way we dress, the places we go, our attitude toward our mates, parents/children, and our refusal to engage in sin. If we are unwilling to stand out in a crowd in these kinds of circumstances, why should Jesus stand up for us before Jehovah? See Matthew 10:32-33 for Jesus¹ words on such cowardice and apathy.

STAND UP FOR THE RIGHT
Standing out is not enough; we must stand up for that which is right in the sight of God. We need men and women, boys and girls who know what is right by having studied their Bible, who then do that which is right, and stand up for that which is right when a crisis occurs. Jesus did not just stand idly by when immoral behavior or unjust actions took place. He forced a hypocritical crowd to see that they were ignoring God¹s Law regarding the woman taken in adultery in John 8. John the baptist did not stand at a distance when he addressed Herod, but rebuked him publicly for having taken another man¹s wife, Mark 6:18. It is not enough for Christians to oppose sin and wicked living; we must also stand up for that which is right! Stand Up!

STAND UP AGAINST THE WRONG
We are now discovering that some of the ³neutral² countries during World War II were not so neutral. In fact, there are times when being ³neutral² is as cowardly as hiding in a closet. When it comes to Jesus Christ, you cannot be neutral. You must make a choice; He is either our Lord or He is not. You cannot be neutral about the church of Christ; either you stand for His church or you are against His church, Matthew 10:32-33. You cannot truly ³stand for the right² without opposing that which is wrong, immoral, unjust and wicked. The psalmist wrote, ³Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way,² Psalms 119:104. The Holy Spirit inspired the prophet to write, ³Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate,² Amos 5:15. Micah rebuked Israel, saying they ³hate the good, and love the evil,² Micah 3:2.

I saw a man get as angry as any I have ever seen as he decreed that preachers ought to ³preach positive truths, and then leave everything else alone.² He wanted only positive sermons; he wanted no mention of sin; he wanted no rebuke of that which God says is wrong. That was the first time I had ever heard such an idea. But it was not the last, for many still clamor for ³sermons that are short, sweet, and never negative.²

The problem with this attitude is that it is not what God told preachers to do: ³Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine...the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...they shall turn away their ears from truth, and shall be turned unto fables,² 2 Timothy 4:2-4. It is Christians who must stand out as a righteous and holy people. It is Christians who must stand up for all that is right. And it is also Christians who must stand up against all evil.