Have you ever been embarrassed to be a Christian? Ever been tempted to deny your faith, to say you’re not one of “THOSE” Christians—as if you are some OTHER kind, some better, more understanding type? There can be negative associations with Christ and with His Bride, the church. Lost people may accuse you of being judgmental or a hateful bigot. And don’t bother trying to pretend—you will never be able to please them, so it’s better to be real and honest from the beginning. And God will honor you when you stand with Him.
“Whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33.
What does Jesus say will happen if you deny Him in front of other people? He says He will deny you before the Father—where it matters most. Will you lose your salvation? Maybe, maybe not. But clearly Jesus takes this seriously: don’t deny the One who died for you!
And as for the shame of following Christ, God will take care of that:
“You subdue the uproar of the barbarians… He silences the song of the violent. He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and REMOVE HIS PEOPLE’S DISGRACE FROM THE WHOLE EARTH…. They will see Your zeal for Your people and they will be put to shame.” Isaiah 25:5,8; 26:11.
God will remove His people’s disgrace. He will honor you when you honor Him. He sees your faithfulness, and He will reward it. He will remove the “disgrace” of knowing Him, and being married to Christ will be the highest honor, as it should be. At that time, those who don’t know Him—who have always denied him— “will be put to shame.” In the last days, God’s justice will give honor to His children, and will shame those who spent their lives shaming Jesus and His people.
STAY FAITHFUL!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 