Christian Living

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True story: I once served on a PTA committee where a couple of the members lived on the same street. They were having problems with a neighbor who refused to install any type of window coverings. This was an issue because the neighbor, who worked all day from home, preferred to move about his house naked.

This was too much information for those who lived nearby. They began leaving advertising flyers for plantation shutters and window treatments in his mailbox, but when he ignored the hints, one woman wrote him a note.

“I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not, but I can see straight into your house.”

The man responded with a note of his own that read, “I assume you wrote me because I like to work in the nude. FYI, it doesn’t bother me that you can see me naked. I train hard to keep myself in good physical condition.”

According to the committee members I served with, this guy wasn’t in nearly as good of shape as he thought he was.

Here is another true story: God sees straight into our houses, and three layers of Eskimo-wear is not enough to keep us covered. Spiritually speaking, heart-wise and behavior-wise, we’re as naked as jaybirds.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

Some people have misconceptions about the condition of their spiritual fitness level. “I believe in God and I’m a really good person. That should be enough to get me into Heaven.”

It isn’t enough, though. The Bible teaches that even demons believe in God, (James 2:19) and that salvation can’t be earned through our own goodness. (Ephesians 2: 8-9) If it could be, Jesus would not have needed to die on the cross for our sins.

Without Jesus, we’re in about as good of shape as a 98-pound weakling—and a NAKED 98-pound weakling at that. Again, nothing is hidden, “for the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth” (II Chronicles 16:9)

To the eyes of God, we’re living in the buff, which is why even true believers need to assess their condition. Are we serving for God’s glory, or have we become exhibitionists who hope to impress the neighbors? Are we inconsistent in expressing our faith, flashing it only when it’s comfortable and we’re sure nobody will be offended? Do we streak around on Sundays, but cover our Christianity on Monday through Saturday?

We shouldn’t be answering yes to any of those questions, but if we are, it’s time we acknowledge that we’re amiss of clothing—and act like a naked person should.

Think about it from the perspective being physically in the raw. If all the world was a nudist colony and the norm was to go about life in our birthday suits, wouldn’t we strive to present ourselves in a pleasing light? Yes, we’d get off the couch, eat well, walk tall, and ladies, with no long skirts or pants to hide behind, our legs would always be shaved.

Let’s present ourselves to God in a pleasing light. Let’s exercise our faith, and feed and grow strong on His Word. Let’s aim for obedience, repent when we fall short and praise Him for the love He showed by sending Jesus. Let us walk as people who are imitators of Christ and gladly serve as we’re led to do.

Of course, though God sees us as we are, we do have the option of limiting our neighbor’s view of the physical us. The majority of people probably agree that this is a good thing, so curtains and clothing are highly recommended.

It’s the love of Christ that we don’t want to cover up.

“You are the light of the world,” Jesus said in Matthew 5. “A city on a hill can not be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” (verses 14-16, NIV)

Christ living within us…that’s the part that should be wide open and fully exposed.


©Donna G. Morton, October 2006

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