Unashamed
{This was written for as an article for HYPE e-zine}
And now, dear children, continue in Him,
so that when He appears we may be confident and
unashamed before Him at His coming.
(1 John 2:28)
In order to understand what it means to be unashamed of Christ,
we must first understand what it means to be ashamed of Him.
And for that, I looked in the dictionary for the definition of
ashamed, and I like what I found:
2. relunctant because fearing shame beforehand.
In other words this says that being ashamed means to be reluctant
(not quick) to speak the word of God because you fear being
put to shame by other people. But what does "put to shame" mean?
I didn't like the dictionary definition so I'll define it in a
couple ways (that are common reasons for not sharing the gospel
like we should):
1. Other people will make fun of me because I am a Christian.
2. Other people will question my knowledge of the bible and I will
be put to shame because I don't know the scripture well.
As for answers to those two fears I would say 1. If you're
afraid of persecution for what you believe... then you need
to change the thoughts you have. Because Christ clearly spoke
that we are going to be persecuted for our beliefs. (in fact,
persecution is a sign that we are doing the right things.. because
satan wouldn't bother attacking us if we weren't doing anything
for God's kingdom) 2. First, get out your bible and start reading
it and go to your pastor with any questions you have. Maybe start
in a bible study... then start hanging around with people who have
a firm grasp of bible and you'll be surprised at how much your
knowledge of scripture will abound just by being around them.
Now we get to what it means to be unashamed. For that I'm going
to share something I wrote about being unashamed:
when we can see the hopelessness of the world around us and not
be ashamed to say "Jesus loves you" or "Jesus can save you" to
a complete stranger... (and be willing to talk with them when they
have questions....)
when we can look at those in authority over us and not be ashamed
to say what we believe....
when we can look punishment right in the face and still say that
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life... without fearing that
punishment....
when can shout from the rooftops that Jesus is Lord of our life
no matter what anyone may think of us....
when no matter what someone says about us.. we can take it in and
still radiate the love of Jesus...
when we LIVE the LIFE that Christ lived...
that's being UNASHAMED
Are you ashamed of God?? I hope not, for if you are... you have
this to fear:
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)
Being unashamed does not have to be some BIG sort of a charade
or something. Being unashamed simply means not being afraid to share
Christ's love when it is needed... It's not preaching or starting a
club (necessarily) ... It is simply walking upright in His word and
being open to His guidance.... It is simply obedience without fear of
what anyone else may think....
Written by:
Me
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