What We Do In Shadow

"Be sure your sin will find you out" - Num 32:23b

If you grew up in church like I did you probably have the above verse memorized even if you had no idea where it was located. More common still is the likelihood that it was just something a grandparent/parent said when they thought you were lying that you knew was probably from the Bible, but had never heard it quoted with chapter and verse.

Unfortunately the reality is that many of us who grew up in church have this as the back drop for allot of our scriptural knowledge. A vague verse quoted only partially by an aggressive teacher or parent.

This lesson however is taught more fully, or at least not out of context again in the book of 1 Timothy were Paul is calling Timothy and by extension us to live lives of purity to God.

"The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgement, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden." -1 Tim 5:24-25

The direct implication of this statement is one of caution to a believer, and even more so a pastor (as Timothy was) that no matter what we might believe we are hiding the truth will always come out. However, this teaching is added to with the positive as well that even those good things that we do in secret will be made know in time.

We all know the reality of conspicuous sin. Those things that stick out like a sore thumb in peoples lives. Sins like envy, pride, anger, hate, gossip, or any number of other sins that allow us to immediately identify those who are struggling/fallen to the flesh.

I would argue we even have clarity on those things we might term secret sins, things like lust, pornography, abuse, lying, or just spiritual laziness. These things are done in secret and may be hidden for a time, however, eventually whether in life or, as in the case of many fallen leaders, after their death the truth will be made know.

So these verses are a call to keep your flesh and its passions in check because no matter how good we are at hiding we will ultimately be revealed. Paul was also providing an encouragement to Timothy that yes sin will not only, be revealed, but also those good deeds that we believed were never seen or recognized by anyone will eventually come to light as well.

My Grandfather has told me often a practical example of this idea. My Great Grandfather Baron Fava Miller, or BF as he was known to most was a mostly quiet and peaceful man who kept to himself. He made it a goal to follow the advice of 1 Thes 4:11

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands." - 1 Thes 4:11

It was not until his funeral that my Grandfather says a countless wave of people began approaching to tell their stories of how B.F. had gone out of his way to be helpful in their time of need. Some he fixed cars for free (he had an auto body shop) some were widows that he had bought groceries, and some were just any number of helpful things he could accomplish.

His whole life no one, or very few, ever would have given him credit, and he never sought credit, however, the good that he had done "could not remain hidden."

There are two things that come out of this encouragement that bear remarking upon. First, is that even when we think no one cares and no one is watching the good we do will be known and revealed.

I think of my friend and mentor Dave Paxton who in a video released after his death commented that he was unsure if his life ultimately would have affected anyone. Would have been humbled to know that hundreds of people gathered in four different states would be watching his funeral because of the impact he had on their lives.

The second thing is the that like my Great Grandfather, Dave Paxton, or Timothy we should not seek the spotlight. Some good we do will naturally be done in view of others, but we should not waist time on self promotion, instead we should set our focus on what God has called us to, and allow Him to be the one who brings our good deeds to light in His own timing.

"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5-7