In all the years I have been following Jesus I have heard many people say, “My Christianity is a personal matter.” Is this true?
It is true that our relationship with God is indeed personal. This is why Jesus has said this in the book of Matthew:
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5–6, NIV)
While our relationship with God is personal, we must understand that our Christianity is anything but personal. Our Christian faith is meant to be lived out publicly. In the book of Matthew, God calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13–16, NIV)
Jesus teaches us that a city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. When we have a genuine relationship with Christ and are filled with the light of the Holy Spirit, it becomes evident to those around us. This visibility stems from the fact that our lives begin to diverge from the norms of the world. Our actions and choices become distinct, drawing the attention of others. God calls his people to live in a way that stands apart from the rest of the world.
To claim that my Christianity is solely a private affair would be akin to lighting a lamp and then concealing it under a bowl, as Jesus illustrated. Instead, the purpose of the lamp is to illuminate the surroundings. Jesus specifically states, “Let your lamp shine before others.” But why? Well, consider the scripture: “That they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Pay attention to the phrase “and glorify your Father,” not their father. This implies that they have not yet encountered God, but through your radiance, they may come to discover Him.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be different—to exemplify his love, grace, and truth in our daily lives. Our faith should shine brightly, not hidden away. When we live in accordance with God’s principles, our actions and deeds become a testament to his transformative power. Others will notice the difference, and some will be drawn to glorify our heavenly Father.
Therefore, let us embrace the call to live distinctively as followers of Christ, allowing his light to illuminate our lives and affect those around us. May our actions and deeds serve as a testimony to God’s love and goodness, bringing glory to him in all that we do.