Is Religion a Private Matter?

     When you mention your faith in public, some people will announce that their religion is a private matter that's just between them and God. It's considered to be almost as private as talking about sex. There's even a rule in some circles that the topics to avoid are: religion, sex and politics.
     Is our faith in God meant to be kept a secret?
     No doubt, the devil would love to keep it secret. But, as Christians, we have a responsibility to share the Gospel. Just as scientists and doctors have a responsibility to divulge their knowledge to mankind, especially when their knowledge can divert an epidemic or warn us of a looming natural disaster, so it is our responsibility to mankind to present the knowledge of salvation.
     Would you stand by and watch a toddler run out into the traffic? I hope not. As a responsible human being, it would be instinctual for most of us to intervene. That's our humanity. It's a natural reaction. Most people value life, even the lives of animals.
     Isn't our spiritual life of more value than this temporal, carnal existence? Once you have found the salvation of your own soul and the joy of knowing the Lord, isn't it your responsibility to turn others off the path to destruction?
     How accountable are we for the destiny of the souls of others? Matthew chapter 10 gives pretty clear instructions of our responsibility as Christians.
     "As ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give."
     Jesus set the example for us to follow. Not only are we bound to follow, but we are actually bound to be his own slaves. (That's a topic which needs expounding on!) At the end of his mission, he instructed us,
     "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
     Not only did Christ set the example, but he died in order to pay off the debt of our sin and then he told us he would be with us every step of the way until the end of the world as we know it. We not only have the blue print but we have the Architect to direct every move we make, if we care to ask him. The Divine Plan given us by God Himself will be successful as we follow it, but not if it's kept a secret.
     "Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:15
     If you are a Christian who believes that your religion should be kept private, I humbly suggest that you read the book of Acts. The power of God, in the out-pouring of the Holy Ghost, compelled the apostles to witness their faith. They proclaimed their beliefs to the peril of their lives.
     "And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts 5:42
     On the other hand, there are some things we should keep private. We are told that our giving should be in private:
     "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven..." Matthew 6 verse 1.
     Our prayer life is supposed to be private:
     "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into they 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." Matthew 6:5 and 6.
      So, although there are some parts of our faith that are meant to be kept private, sharing the Gospel is not one of them. In fact, Jesus told us,
     "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." Matthew 10, verse 27.