Friday, September 26, 2003
It's amazing what a difference a camera can make, isn't it? Allan Funt, the creator of "Candid Camera" sure proved that over and over, and now his son is proving it on an updated show based on the same idea. People do these dumb little things, and they're totally unaware that the camera is rolling and the nation is watching. If they knew, they'd never do what that show tricks them into doing. Of course, the results of unknown cameras aren't always humorous, like incriminating photos being taken of a Presidential candidate or a Christian leader - and they have been. How many times has the subject of an incriminating photo said, "If I'd only known they were recording this"? Maybe you should assume they are.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Nothing to Hide."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Romans 13 beginning at verse 12, and it encourages us to live with those three words as our life motto. Nothing to hide. It says this: "Put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
Live, God says, like it's always day time. Live as if he lights are always on, as if the camera is always clicking, the video cam is always filming, the recorder is always recording. How would people in Richard Nixon's office have talked differently if they knew tapes were being made? Would certain gangsters have said what they said on the phone if they knew it would be played in court someday? Would certain public figures have been with that woman if they knew those pictures would be displayed for the world to see?
One of life's unnecessary fears is the fear of discovery. In the words of Proverbs, "The wicked man flees though no one pursues" (Proverbs 28:1). When you're breaking the law, you have to keep checking your rear-view mirror. When you're constantly having to look in your rear-view mirror, you can't really relax and enjoy the trip. The freedom to really enjoy the trip is for those who don't have to worry about getting caught - because there's nothing to catch.
Well, God calls us to live transparently without that paralyzing stress of dark secrets. Are you living in such a way that you have nothing to fear if there's a tape recorder running in your car, or your motel room, or your office, or on your phone? Do you have something to worry about if a camera is covering your activities 24 hours a day?
Actually, we are being watched. We are being recorded more than we know. And one day God will, the Bible says, "judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ" (Romans 2:16). Jesus said, "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed" (Matthew 10:26). And God clearly warns us that "you may be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).
So, don't be fooled by the myth that you're getting away with it. Live as if someone is recording everything, because someone is. And enjoy the glorious freedom that's known only by those who live by three liberating words. Nothing to hide.