If you are truly following Jesus Christ, there will be evidence in what people can see in your life. We are to be a group of people that should truly reflect a difference, for we are in the world but not of the world. We’re not to be a people that will be here on earth forever; we have a divine purpose.
People will also know when you are denying Christ or if you are ashamed of Him. Your actions will not support your words that you are a Christian. It really takes courage to follow Christ. It takes courage to stand up for biblical beliefs and Scripture. It takes courage to be distinguished as a Christian in today’s world.
To deny something is to declare a statement that turns out to be untrue or in contradiction. For example, you can make a declaration that Jesus Christ is your Lord, but you can still walk contrary to what God’s Word says. A person may choose to not follow God closely because he may not see evidence of God working. The question becomes, “Is God really real for me?” We may be so busy in life that we miss what He is really doing.
We read about Jesus Christ in Scripture, but the connection needs to be made as to how He is relevant in your life; otherwise, we may fall victim to not followhing Him as we should.
To be ashamed is to be humiliated or embarrassed due to inadequacy or inferiority. As a Christian, are you so affected by the world that you find yourself ashamed to be associated with Jesus Christ? Do you feel inadequate because you don’t blend in? Don’t allow Satan to trick you into moving away from Christ. Either you are bringing people closer to Jesus or you are turning people away from Him. People should not view you in such a way where you are presenting a double standard.
Matthew 10:32-33
32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.
2 Timothy 2:12
…if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
Luke 12:8
“And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
John 9:22
His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jews, since the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him as Messiah, he would be banned from the synagogue.
Fear will keep a person from completely following Jesus because of the world’s pressures.
John 12:42-43
42 Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
If there is confidence in God’s power and authority, you can and will speak boldly for Jesus Christ, in spite of formidable opposition.
Daniel 3:15-18
15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Jacob, why do you say,
and Israel, why do you assert:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my claim is ignored by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
there is no limit to His understanding.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Youths may faint and grow weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
31 but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not faint.
Do you think that God is unaware of your life circumstances, and because of that you choose to not follow His direction? Remember that God is fully involved in your life and He does care about you. If you trust in God, you will be strengthened and encouraged in His presence.
We have courage when we trust in God. We gain knowledge of Him with the power of His Word. Without it, you will find yourself empty.
Philippians 1:20
My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
Psalm 40:9
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
see, I do not keep my mouth closed—
as You know, Lord.
Trusting in Jesus Chrsit makes you a living testimony. There will be no shame in Him or being associated with Him.
2 Timothy 1:8
So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
Believing in Him and living for Him allows you to bear His name before others.
1 Peter 4:16
But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.
Psalm 71:15-18
15 My mouth will tell about Your righteousness
and Your salvation all day long,
though I cannot sum them up.
16 I come because of the mighty acts of the Lord God;
I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17 God, You have taught me from my youth,
and I still proclaim Your wonderful works.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
God, do not abandon me.
Then I will proclaim Your power
to another generation,
Your strength to all who are to come.
Are you proud to bear the name of Jesus Christ before others?
Akron Alliance Fellowship 