Exposure brings us closer. Closer to God that is. And this isn’t something clever that I made up, it’s simply the truth. The Son of God Himself, you know, The Way, The Truth, The Life and The Light (John 1; John 14:6) says it to be so. In John 3:20-21 Jesus makes the following statement: “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Do you get it? The one who willingly practices evil actually does everything he can to avoid exposure. He chooses to keep his ill-behaviors as far away from the light as possible. This deliberate approach to life is the proof of his wickedness as well as the trap that will ensure he never escapes his wickedness. Though none of us are free from committing deeds of an evil nature due to our sinful flesh, we each have an option to be honest about our shortcomings. May the man described in verse 20 be a warning to us of the consequences of avoiding the light!
On the contrary, we have the man described in verse 21. The type of man who walks in the paths of truth. He is not perfect, nor does the verse say he is. He has certainly done his fair share of wrong. The difference is, in spite of his failures, he willingly brings his every action to light. The good and the bad. Though not every deed he has done has been godly, because he has made himself clearly and fully seen, he is given credit as having done all in God. He is considered close to the Lord by and through his honest pursuit of His ways! Abundant grace is found in exposing our spiritual selves. May we dive on in by revealing our actions!
Exposure brings us closer to others as well. In being honest with our family, friends, and to whomever it may be appropriate, we develop immense trust and incredible camaraderie between each other. Not everyone is capable of loving you when you are fully known, but to find such a friend is a great reward! In James 5:16 we are actually encouraged to confess our sins to one another as a means of building and uplifting the community of Christ. What I call, “Community through Confession”. We cannot truly grow unless we are willing to grow together. Transparency and prayer for one another benefits the whole.
It is even appropriate to say that exposure brings God closer to us. Making ourselves known has a positive pull in both directions. Us to Him, and He to us. If we are getting closer to Him, He is inevitably getting closer to us. Let me give you some scriptural support for this concept. Psalm 34:18 says this, “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” In other passages we learn that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5)
What do these verses have to do with God getting closer to the transparent? Well, the one with a broken heart is not hiding his feelings of despair, he is baring all, for all to see. And having a contrite spirit speaks of repentance; Without openly admitting your sins there can be no true repentance. This man, the one of the broken heart and contrite spirit, the one who is open and honest, is whom the Lord draws near to. This man who has come to the light is humble and receives the grace he is given. On the other hand, the prideful man experiences resistance from God because he covers and/or denies his personal flaws. It is extremely difficult for this man to be transparent and he is a great hindrance to community because of it.
So, there you have it, exposure serves as a great catalyst for community. For fellowship and communion with both God and man. When we avail ourselves to each other, to know fully and to be fully known, real unity is formed. Then nothing can separate us from the Father and nothing can come between the body of Christ, the Church. If we make complete transparency our goal, the only way we can grow is closer. Sounds like creation at its perfection to me. The effect of the Gospel bringing us back to the Garden.
And, by the way, all things will eventually be exposed by God anyways. So might as well make ‘em known now while great grace is still available. That way you’ll be ready as the imminent return of the Lord grows nearer. In this way, exposure brings us closer to eternity.
“For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” – Luke 8:17
“For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” – Mark 4:22
“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 the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” – 1 Corinthians 4:5
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