Joe Yapzor

hidden christianity is no christianity

Walking down the stairs of the office, Musah met Peter making the sign of the cross while on a call at the side of the staircase.

“You’re a Christian?!” Musah exclaimed.

“Yeah, yeah, I am. Doesn’t my name say it?” Peter replied casually.

“I would never have guessed,” Musah remarked. “With everything I see you do in this office and the kinds of jokes you make, it never felt like it. Well, that’s your business.” He walked out the door into the reception area.

He never knew I was a Christian? Peter thought to himself.

Peter isn’t alone. He assumed his Christian identity was self-evident, after all, his name is Peter and he attends Mass every Sunday. But nothing in his daily life reflected it.

In today’s world, a world that resents being judged or preached to, it’s common to find Christians who tuck their faith into the corners of their rooms or limit it to church settings. At work, on the playground, or at social events, the ‘Christian mode’ is turned off in an attempt to blend in with the crowd.

But is Christianity merely a personal religion, or a private lifestyle? Should everyone around you know that you are a Christian? And how can you live out your faith openly without being perceived as judgmental or overbearing, especially since Jesus Himself warned against judging others?

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus offers a powerful metaphor that cannot be ignored:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.”

Matthew 5:13-15

Salt’s appearance is not its essence; its taste is.

The purpose of salt is not to turn food white, but to give it an irresistible flavor. Likewise, you don’t need to wear a huge crucifix or carry a Bible everywhere to prove you’re a Christian. You simply need to live the life Christ calls you to live. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

The truest mark of a Christian is love, not speaking in tongues or performing miracles. According to St. Paul’s great hymn of love in 1 Corinthians 13, a Christian is patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful or rude, not selfish, not quick-tempered, not rejoicing in wrongdoing but in the truth. Just by practicing these virtues, you can impact the world around you. People should recognize your faith simply by the way you live, long before you ever mention Jesus.

Salt is good, but too much ruins the taste.

Christ calls us to proclaim the Gospel, not to be a nuisance with it. These are very different approaches with vastly different outcomes. If you go around condemning everyone who doesn’t share your beliefs, you’re unlikely to win hearts for Christ. When Jesus sent out the apostles, He said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matt. 10:14). You’re called to share Christ, but it is the Holy Spirit who converts hearts. You are the salt, not the whole dish. Don’t make Christianity so overpowering that people grow to hate it.

A hidden light is no light at all.

Imagine walking into a room at night only to discover that the light bulb has decided not to shine, for fear of being judged as “too bright.” That light is not only useless, but dangerous. In Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matt. 25:30), such unfaithful servants are cast into the outer darkness.

He said, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” To be a Christian is to be that city on the hill. To hide your Christianity is a contradiction, a fallacy. If your faith is invisible to those around you, then it’s time to re-examine the way you’re living.

“Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matt. 5:16).

The Workplace Pulpit

Christianity was never meant to be a Sunday-only affair. The early disciples were not confined to temples or synagogues; they lived their faith out loud, in homes, marketplaces, and even prisons. In fact, some of the most powerful testimonies in Scripture happened in the most “secular” places. Think of Joseph in Pharaoh’s palace, Daniel in Babylon’s court, or Esther in the Persian kingdom. They didn’t preach sermons with microphones, but their lives spoke volumes. Their integrity, courage, and obedience to God, even under pressure, became undeniable testimonies.

The modern workplace is no different. It is one of the greatest mission fields today. But instead of trying to convert every colleague during lunch breaks, the call is much simpler: be consistent, be excellent, and be Christlike. Let your work ethic reflect your reverence for God. Let your honesty in reporting, humility in leadership, and compassion in difficult moments reveal who you really are. It is often not in grand gestures but in subtle, faithful living that people encounter the light of Christ.

As St. Francis of Assisi is often quoted: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

Fear or Faith?

Many Christians remain hidden not because they lack faith, but because they fear criticism or exclusion. In a culture that often mocks or misrepresents religion, it feels safer to blend in. But Jesus never called us to safety, He called us to witness. And He warned us that we would be rejected just as He was.

“Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory”.

(Luke 9:26)

This is not a threat but a sobering reminder. The Christian life is not a secret society. It’s a public declaration, sealed in baptism, renewed in the Eucharist, and expressed in daily life. If you’re afraid of being mocked, remember: even Jesus was mocked. Yet He endured the cross, scorning its shame, for the joy set before Him, and that joy includes you (Hebrews 12:2).

Being Light in a Dark World

Light is not loud, it simply shines. It doesn’t argue with the darkness; it dispels it. In the same way, Christians are called to live as quiet but powerful witnesses. You don’t need to win every debate or prove every doctrine. Your life, when grounded in truth, shaped by love, and guided by grace, will speak more convincingly than a thousand arguments.

But take care: light must be maintained. A neglected lamp goes dim. You cannot shine if you are not connected to the source. Daily prayer, Scripture reading, frequent reception of the sacraments, and fellowship with other believers are essential. They fuel your light so that, when the world grows darker, you grow brighter.

When People Finally Ask

Eventually, someone will notice. A colleague will pull you aside to ask, “Why are you always so calm under pressure?” or “Why didn’t you take credit for that project?” or even “How do you find hope in all this mess?”

That is your moment.

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and respect”.

1 Peter 3:15

Do it with humility, not superiority. Share the love of Christ, not just the laws of Christianity. Tell your story, of struggle, of growth, of grace. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to point people to the One who does.

Don’t forget to Share with others.

Thank you.