Covert Christians

I ran into my neighbor and Christian brother, Junior, while he and his son were out for a walk. Junior is a man of God who is not ashamed of the gospel. As he often says, “Jesus is all I want to talk about!”

During our conversation, he said something that was thought-provoking and spirit-moving.

“Why is it that so many treat Christianity like a covert operation?”

That’s a good question.

We talked about it. We agreed that churches often feed the hungry, provide bottled water, and offer shelter during natural disasters—good and necessary work. And yet, many times, the gospel itself is never shared alongside those efforts.

Plenty of people associated with churches or even non-Christian nonprofits genuinely want to make a difference. That’s what compassionate humans do. It often makes us look like nice people.

But here’s the harder question:
Does Jesus recognize us as His people?
Do others recognize us as followers of Christ—or simply as nice people?

Are we covert Christians, or overt ones?

That conversation stuck with me as I moved through the rest of my day. I began looking more carefully at the people I passed in HEB (grocery store), the park, and the coffee shop. How many were covert Christians—blending in like the “gray man,” hoping to stay off the cultural radar?

Probably too many.

Even if I assume that only a fraction of the people around me are professing Christians, it’s often difficult to tell believers from nonbelievers by anything outward. And that raises another uncomfortable question:

Aren’t we called to let our light shine?

In our collective effort not to offend the world, have we become hesitant to stand out for Christ? And in doing so, are we more concerned about offending others—or about offending God?

_______

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14–16 (NKJV)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16 (NKJV)