LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Secret Life
“And some [seed] fell all rocky ground where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away” (Mark 4: 5-6, KJV).
What is root? It is growth beneath the soil. What are leaves? Growth above the soil. Root is hidden life; leaves are manifest life. The trouble with many Christians is that, while there is much apparent life, there is very little secret life.
If you have been a Christian for a number of years, how much of your life is unknown to others? You stress outward works. Yes, good works are important; but apart from that manifest expression of your life, how much of your life remains hidden? If all your spiritual life is exposed, then your growth is upward, and because there is no downward growth, you lack root.
The discourse of the Lord Jesus on the Mount was most remarkable. On the one hand He said: “Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5.14-16).
On the other hand He said: “Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them... But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret... When thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matthew 6.1-6).
On the one hand, if you are a Christian you must come right out into the open and make a public profession; on the other hand, there are virtues which you should preserve from the public gaze. The Christian who parades all his virtues has no depth, and because he lacks root he will not be able to stand in the day of trial and temptation. let us who have been the Lord's children these many years ask Him to show us to what extent our experiences have become exposed to view, and let us ask Him also to work a work in these lives of ours that will ensure our becoming deeply rooted in Him. (Watchman Nee).