Joyful Moments in Christ

While there is a time and place for public pronouncement of our good deeds, there is something to be said for acts of kindness done in secret. If we are trying to raise large sums of money to provide backpacks and clothing for underprivileged schoolchildren, it make little sense to be secretive–awareness can inspire generosity. However, if a neighbor with a young child has been struggling after a year of unemployment, quietly leaving a backpack filled with supplies and a gift card for clothing carries its own profound significance. What is gained by announcing such an act to the whole neighborhood?

I recently came across a striking observation from an atheist: Why don’t the most vocal pro-lifers feed the hungry children?

This made me pause with great sadness. Why do we place such vocal emphasis on condemning the sexual sins that can lead to unplanned pregnancies and, in some cases, abortion, yet remain comparatively silent about caring for the children whose parents chose life? How can we expect more parents to choose life if they do not see tangible support for that difficult decision?

Jesus spoke of the challenge of choosing righteousness:

Choosing the harder path is never easy—whether in matters of salvation or family planning. As Christians, how can we help make the hard path more bearable?

The answer may lie in shifting how we use our voices. Perhaps we need to be less vocal in some areas while amplifying others. And perhaps we should embrace the quiet power of doing good in secret. Imagine a world where Christians were best known not for their public stances, but for their quiet, unwavering acts of compassion. What if, when a struggling family received a much-needed gift, their first thought was, I wonder which Christian left this for me?

While Jesus did not shy away from addressing sin, he was far better known for his compassion. We should follow his example. It is perfectly acceptable to value life and to express those values, but above all, we should be known for how we treat those in difficult circumstances.

Consider Jesus’ response to suffering:

• In John 11, Jesus wept with Mary and Martha over the death of their brother, Lazarus. However, his compassion didn’t stop there—he raised Lazarus to life.
• In Mark 5:21-43, Jesus healed a bleeding woman. While he could have done this in secret, instead he chose an even more compassionate act by publicly acknowledged her healing, restoring her place in the community.
• More relevant to the pro-life conversation, In John 4 when Jesus met an adulterous woman at a well, he did not humiliate her, tear her away from her family, or make a public spectacle of her sins. Instead, he offered her living water—an opportunity for spiritual renewal. While scripture does not explicitly state whether he later called her to change her ways, it seems likely that transformation followed her acceptance of his grace.

The order is significant: First, Jesus offers compassion and salvation. Then, he calls people to live in a way that reflects that salvation.

What good does condemnation do without an offer of redemption? Our first message should always be that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This was true of Lazarus’s death, one woman’s illness, and another woman’s sin. Only after a person grasps that truth can they begin the journey of change—and sometimes, the best way to help is through quiet, unseen acts of kindness.

The most vocal message we should proclaim is salvation. Everything else—acts of service, calls for change—can happen publicly or privately as needed.

So let’s truly consider how we use our voice. Are we speaking words of condemnation or words of salvation? Are we performing good deeds for recognition, or are we allowing some of our most meaningful acts to remain unseen?

Let’s strive to be known, not just for our beliefs, but for our love—expressed both in public and in secret.

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways can acts of kindness be more impactful when done in secret rather than publicly?
2. How do I currently use my voice? Do I focus more on condemnation or on offering hope and support?
3. What are some practical ways I can help make the “hard path” easier for those facing difficult choices?
4. How does Jesus’ example of compassion challenge me to rethink how I respond to others in need?
5. Am I known more for my public stances or for my quiet acts of love and service? What would I like to be known for?

Reflective Prayer

Consider using these verses to pray using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

• Adoration: Praise God. Do these verses bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Do these verses bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from these verses inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from these verses inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.