ASHAMED
1/18/09

Jesus gives us a very stern warning against being ashamed of our faith in God. "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38). This warning extends beyond just being ashamed of Him, but also being ashamed of His Words. With this knowledge, I find it very disturbing when I know someone who calls themselves a Christian, yet they are ashamed of the Gospel message.

Have you ever attempted to share the Gospel with someone, only to find that a Christian brother or sister attempts to stop your testimony? I have to question the legitimacy and sincerity of their own salvation if they are ashamed of the presentation of it to others. Jesus stated very clearly that if we are ashamed of Him or of His Word, He'll be ashamed of us. Isn't that a scary thought? Would Jesus be embarrassed to be seen with you? I'd hate to find myself standing before the throne of God with my Lord being ashamed of me.

You might declare and insist that you are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, but do your actions declare otherwise? Sure, you're not the one telling the dirty jokes, but you laugh right along with everyone else when someone else tells them. If an unbeliever is with you, you switch the music or television station from Christian programming to something that won't offend them. If the subject of the Bible, faith, God, or other aspects of Christianity comes up, you quickly change the subject.

We all know people who act like Christians when they are around Christians, yet they act like the world when they are around people of the world. If you're claiming to be a follower of Christ, yet you are acting like the world and openly participating in their sinful behavior, you are clearly denying your relationship with Christ by your actions. But the more subtle denying of faith is done by the ones who go through the actions of being a Christians, except are ashamed or embarrassed to let others know.

Paul states, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" (Romans 1:16-17).

I suppose it is easy and natural to feel some shame in a world that is opposed to the Gospel message. The reason we feel that way is because the world is opposed to the Gospel and they ridicule it. It is natural to want to "fit in" and to be popular. Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to a Christ-rejecting world certainly doesn't promote popularity in this world. But unfortunately, we are all far more attuned to the world than we imagine. Today's culture gives the impression of religious tolerance, so that most people are careful not to scorn Christians openly. But the world is still the world, and hostility toward Christ and His true Gospel message is always present.

But shame will greatly hinder your effectiveness as a Christian. It is a stumbling block to your testimony. Paul urges Timothy, "Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord." (II Tim.1:8). Then he goes on a few verses later to declare, ".I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him.".

Paul presents what I believe is an important key to acquiring some holy boldness in our Christian lives. He said, "I know whom I have believed.". That key is, "get to know Him". As you spend quality time with Him, you get to know Him in a deeper and more intimate way. As you get to know Him in a deeper and more intimate way, you become more and more convinced of who His is, His love, His power, His promises, and His faithfulness.

So if you sense some shame when you are in the presence of someone sharing the Gospel, or if you are too ashamed to share it with others on your own, you need to spend a lot more time in His presence, getting to know Him a lot better. The reason that you are easily tempted to become ashamed about God, ashamed and fearful to tell others about Him, is because you don't know God well enough. Your relationship with God is more of an acquaintance than as a dear friend and Father. Paul knew God intimately and trusted Him to be who He said He would be. With that knowledge, came the power to cast aside any temptation to feel shame about God.

When I think about being ashamed of God I also think about Peter and his moment of truth with Jesus. Peter had vowed to stand by Jesus' side no matter what. But after Jesus was arrested and was being tried, Peter kept his distance. Peter was confronted by others about his relationship to Jesus, but Peter had become ashamed of that relationship with Him. He was afraid and felt shame and embarrassment toward our Lord.

With this understanding of what the Scripture tells us about this subject, we have to ask ourselves not just "Am I ashamed of God?" but rather "Is God ashamed of me?" Is God embarrassed by my actions and behavior? Would God want to be seen with me in public? Remember, He said that if you are ashamed of Him, He'll be ashamed of you.

The word Gospel means "Good news". Yes, the Gospel is "Good news". You should be excited about it. You should want to share it. It is easy to understand reluctance and shame about sharing bad news, but the Gospel is good news. And it is called the Gospel of Salvation. That is what it is all about. The Gospel of Christ is about salvation. That word salvation means "to be made whole spirit, soul, and body" and "to be delivered".

Considering all the things that God has done for you, how could you be ashamed of Him? Considering all those sins that He has covered with His blood, how can you be ashamed? Considering the pit that He has pulled you up from, what is there to be ashamed about? Consider all your failures and shortcomings and all His love, greatness, and power. Daily spend quality time with Him in thanksgiving, praise, and study of His Word. As a result, you'll find the boldness that Peter, Paul, and others found.

Another key to acquiring boldness is the Holy Spirit Baptism, with the initial sign of speaking in tongues, which we read about in the Book of Acts. If you haven't received the Holy Spirit Baptism, you need to ask our Lord for it. If you have received the Holy Spirit Baptism, with the initial sign of speaking in tongues, you need to spend a lot more quality time praying in tongues. Gradually, you'll find that boldness begin to emerge.