Is it wrong to be a Christian secretly in order to preserve your own life?

Answer

Is it wrong to live as secret Christians out of fear of reprisal or even death? Should Christians be willing to die for confessing the name of Jesus? Should we keep our faith hidden to protect our lives? This is a theoretical question for many Christians around the world, where the worst persecution they might face is ridicule or insults. However, for Christians in certain regions, this question is a harsh reality—their lives are genuinely in danger. It’s one thing to not be as outspoken as you’d like to safeguard your life or your family’s lives. It’s entirely different to prioritize your own life over serving, honoring, worshiping, and obeying Christ. So, is it wrong to conceal your faith in Christ?

Jesus Himself provides the answer: “Therefore, whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will deny before My Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:32-34). Christ clearly states that “if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). Therefore, while it may be understandable for someone to hide their faith in Christ to save their life, for a Christian, keeping their faith hidden is not an acceptable choice.

In the passage above, the term “world” originates from the Greek word kosmos. It denotes an evil, corrupted world system of godless, immoral individuals whose hearts and minds are influenced.

Are controlled by Satan (John 14:30;1 John 5:19;Ephesians 2:1-3). Satan hates God. He also hates those who follow Christ. Christians are the focal point of Satan’s wrath. His goal is to “devour” them (1 Peter 5:8;Ephesians 6:11). We should not be surprised that the world’s rulers hate believers simply because we “are not of the world.” The reason why Christians are being persecuted and killed daily for their confession of Christ is that our godly lives serve to condemn this world’s wicked deeds «An unjust man is an abomination to the just: And he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.», (Proverbs 29:27). It has been this way from the beginning of time with the first murder ever recorded when Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). Why did Cain do this? “Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous” «Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. », (1 John 3:12). Correspondingly, the world today cheers those who practice evil «who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.», (Romans 1:32) and condemns those who would live righteously.

Another message that Jesus brought to the world: “They [the world] will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake” «Then shall they deli”Ver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 24:9). Jesus has promised us this: in the end times, Christians will face severe persecution from this ungodly world. We will be profaned, abused, and cursed. The phrase “will deliver” comes from the Greek word meaning “giving over,” as in the sense of being arrested by the police or military. “Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;” (Matthew 4:12). Many will be murdered. We will be “hated by all nations” for His name’s sake. In the parallel passage of Mark, Jesus declares, “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them” “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” (Mark 13:9). As we are witnessing today throughout the world, being identified with the name of Christ will cost us our freedoms, our rights, our respect, and sometimes our lives.

Christians have a mandate from Christ to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19). Paul echoes Christ’s directive with this query: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believeIn Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14-15). To proclaim the gospel, even in the most remote places on earth, someone must do the proclaiming. Our purpose on earth is to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, sharing with others the life-saving news of Jesus Christ. Yes, at times we face persecution in doing so, and sometimes we risk our lives. However, we know it is God’s will for us to share His truth with others, and we trust in His power to protect us until our mission on earth is fulfilled.

Living for Christ in this world can be challenging, even harsh. This world is not our home. It is a battlefield. The trials of life are the tools God uses to build us up and mold us into the likeness of Jesus. It is during those dark times that we turn to Christ and allow His power to work within us. Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus gave us His final command to spread the gospel to the world. Along with that command, He also gave us His final promise. “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” «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.», (Matthew 28:20). And that is all that matters.