Concealed Carry vs Open Carry
March 21st, 2022
There is an ongoing debate among gun owners as to whether or not we should carry our guns concealed or open for anyone to see. "Concealed Carry" versus "Open Carry". In one case (Concealed Carry) no one knows you are carrying a gun because it is hidden under your clothing. In the other case (Open Carry) anyone who looks at you can see that you are carrying a gun because it is there visible outside of your clothing.
But I'm not continuing a debate on Concealed Carry versus Open Carry of a firearm. I'm talking about something completely different.
I'm referring to "Concealed Carry" or "Open Carry" in regards to how your life reflects what God has done for you. Do you "conceal" your faith in Jesus? Or is it "open" for the world to see.
I'm not concerned with how you choose to carry your gun. I'm concerned with how you choose to carry your faith. Concealed or open.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
What good is your faith if you hide it from others? What value are your good works if you don't share with others?
Just as Jesus was teaching in His Sermon On The Mount in this passage, our "light" (how we carry) should shine for all to see in that others could see our good works (our testimony) and thank God who made it possible.
We who have accepted Jesus Christ the Son of God as our Savior and our Lord and who have put our faith in Jesus should "carry" this faith openly. What good does it do if we hide our faith in Jesus? Are we able to share the light of the Gospel if we hide it? If we "Concealed Carry"? How will this benefit others?
It will not. Just as Jesus gave the illustration that one cannot light a room if he lights a candle and puts it under a basket. If one wishes to light a room via candle, he will place the candle on a lampstand so that the light will fill the room and light the whole room.
Same with our lives. For those of us who have seen the benefit of accepting Jesus and doing our best to live our lives as He would have us to do, what good does it do if we hide what God has done for us? What good does it do others if we hide our light? Instead, we should let our light shine just as this candle on a lampstand. We should shine brightly to show others what God has done for us.
We live in a dark world. It seems darker now that it has been at any time of my life. So much evil, so much sin, so much mistrust and misinformation and lies. We don't trust our government and our media and rightly so. Thank God for many who share the truth through the Internet and local Churches and faithful followers of Christ who are doing their best to dispel the lies and evil prevalent today. But what about me? What about you? What can we do?
Darkness is but the absence of light. In a dark world, we Christians are that light.
We have the light of the Gospel living in us. We have seen the glory of God through the revelation that Jesus is the only Son of God, that Jesus came to earth to take our place and die for our sins, that Jesus rose from the dead, and that Jesus today is available for any and all of us to help, to heal, to forgive us our sins, and to fill us with the light of the Holy Spirit so that we can live godly lives in a sinful dark world.
So the question should not be for a Christian "do I Concealed Carry or do I Open Carry"? We "Open Carry". We should share the Gospel of Jesus with our words and with our works. Others who look at us should see a difference in us and, just as the light on a porch draws the bugs and moths, so will the light of our good works and faith in Jesus draw others. "Open Carry" of your faith will draw others to you. Your light will attract others who will ask you "what's this difference in your life"? They will see through the light of your life a difference and they will desire this difference so that they can enjoy a better life also. Then you can share with them when they ask why you are different, and it is because of the peace of God in having a personal relationship with Jesus.
We all have "testimonies"; things that God has done for us that we can share with others. For some the captivity of the bottle or the pill has turned to life without the need for these things, replaced with the hope that comes from a relationship with God through Jesus. For some of us our attitudes changed. For some of us our outlook on life itself changed. Some of us changed our works. For some of us it was a divine healing. For some of us it was better relationships. For some of us it is hope in a better future. Some of us have experienced miracles that can no doubt come from anywhere but God. For some of us it was peace and joy that shines through our lives and impacts others around us.
"Open Carry" these things. Reflect upon what God has done for you and let this light within you shine to others. Everyone needs hope. People without Jesus have no hope. We who know Jesus have a command to carry this hope to others by sharing why we are hopeful, which is because of Jesus.
Begin today to no longer "Concealed Carry" your faith. Decide right now to "Open Carry" your faith daily. You don't have to be a preacher to share what God has done for you. In fact, you don't have to say a word at first. Let your light shine among others so that others will see your good works and praise God when they realize the source of your actions. "Open Carry" your faith to share with others, in how you live and in what you say, so that they too may have the knowledge and accept Jesus so that they too may be a light to others in a dark world.
Just as the flame from one candle can light another, let your flame ignite a light in others. "Open Carry". Share the good news. Then you can help make the world that includes your family and friends, your neighborhood, your workplace, your town, your state, your nation, and our world a better place.
I pray you reflect on this and "Open Carry" your faith daily.
God bless.
Greg Quinn
