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THERE IS A WIDELY HELD BELIEF THAT A PERSON CANNOT KNOW IF THEY ARE SAVED UNTIL THEY DIE.   THIS IS NOT SO.   IT IS NO SECRET WHEN A PERSON GETS SAVED.   YOU CAN’T BE CLOSE TO GOD AND PEOPLE NOT KNOW IT.  

WHEN MOSES CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNT, THE PEOPLE COULD SEE A DIFFERENCE IN HIM.  THERE WAS A VISIBLE CHANGE IN HIS COUNTENANCE, HE LITERALLY GLOWED FROM BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.  

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS CHANGES RIGHT THERE WHILE DYING BESIDE JESUS.  PEOPLE COULD SEE IT.  THERE WAS AN INSTANT CHANGE IN ATTITUDE.  THE CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR WAS VISIBLE.

BUT WHILE SALVATION IS NOT A SECRET, GOD DOES KEEP OTHER THINGS FROM US FOR NOW. 

 

 1. THERE IS A PLACE WHICH IS A SECRET TO OTHERS.

A. WHERE GOD DWELLS IS A SECRET. EVEN SCIENCE CANNOT FIND IT OUT.

Psalms 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

–GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLACE SET APART FOR YOU AND FOR HIM. IT IS A PLACE OF FELLOWSHIP, SOMETIMES CALLED PRAYER.

Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

–NOT EVERYONE CAN GO THERE. GOD DESIRES THAT WE HAVE A SECRET PLACE FOR BEING WITH HIM IN ADDITION TO COMING TOGETHER.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Many people will set aside special cleaned and pressed clothing, drive many miles, check their clocks to make sure that they get there on time. The phone rings, and they ignore it because they have a meeting. They have a place to go where they will be seen and spoken to privately by someone who has great knowledge. What are they doing ? Getting ready for a doctor’s appointment. BUT, why don’t Christians treat their appointment with God in the same dedication and seriousness ?

B. WHAT IS A SECRET TO SOME, IS NOT A SECRET TO OTHERS.

–GOD REVEALS THINGS TO PEOPLE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

Daniel 2:19  Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel 2:30  But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

IT WAS NOT BECAUSE DANIEL WAS SO SMART !

–THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE.

–SALVATION REVEALED TO HEARTS THAT ARE HUNGRY TO KNOW GOD.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

–THINGS ARE REVEALED BUY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Matthew 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 2:26  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

–GOD HAS REVEALED OUR FUTURE THROUGH HIS SPIRIT.

1 Corinthians 2:9-11 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

C. THE LIGHT SHOULD NOT REMAIN A SECRET THAT WE HAVE BEEN WITH GOD.

Luke 11:33  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

 

3. THERE WILL BE NOTHING SECRET IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.

A. YOUR SINS WILL BE REVEALED UNLESS THEY ARE HIDDEN BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

Matthew 10:26  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

B. BUT WE ARE HIDDEN IN CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

C. YOUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION IS NO SECRET.

PEOPLE DECEIVE THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME INTO THINKING THAT GOD DOESN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR MIND. HE DOES. NOTHING IS A SECRET TO HIM.

HE KNOWS IF YOU HAVE BEEN HALF-HEARTED IN YOUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.

HE KNOWS IF YOU HAVE NEVER TRULY BEEN BORN AGAIN. DON’T TRY TO CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE SAVED WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE THE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED.

 

“God’s Little Secrets”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
082315