Are We Ashamed?

While on the Earth, Jesus asked His apostles a very simple, but important question, “Whom say the people that I am” (Luke 9:18)?  In response, the apostles gave the common thoughts of the masses.  “They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again” (Luke 9:19).  It was then that Jesus changed His question.  “He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  Peter answering said, The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20).  By stating what he did, Peter affirmed that Jesus is the “anointed one” that was to come.  This acknowledgement is so important.  It is upon this confession of faith that Christ built His church (Matt. 16:13-19).  Likewise, we should be as certain as Peter was.  We must not doubt the truth about Jesus!

            After expressing His desire that the apostles not reveal His true nature, Jesus then explained how He was going to suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again (Luke 9:21-22).  Then the Lord taught that great lesson about self denial and sacrifice.  “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:  but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away” (Luke 9:23-25)?  Not everyone will be willing to live a life of such devotion.  Too often, individuals will choose noteriety, money, and such like over faithfulness to the Lord.  By so doing, they forfeit their opportunities for everlasting life.  Please notice carefully the following words spoken by Christ, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).  That is a sobering thought, for how many of us want the Lord to be ashamed of us?

            It is truly sad how few actually love Jesus and His Word!  You might say, “what do you mean?”  The Lord said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  How many people are really doing that?  How many have a great desire to hear and obey what is found in the New Testament?  Unfortunately, there are so many who no longer love the Lord and His Word.  When the truth is proclaimed, some try to dissuade preachers from saying such.  Other times, instead of defending the truth, compromise is shown instead of faithfulness (Jude 3).  There have been so many who have been more concerned with social acceptance instead of spiritual acceptance! 

            Friend, Jesus was not joking about what He said.  If we are ashamed of Him and His words, then He will be ashamed of us.   There will not be a single one of us that will want Jesus ashamed of us on Judgment Day.  Just remember what Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Knowing therefore the terror the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God in you consciences” (2 Cor. 5:10-11).  Think about that for a moment, “the terror of the Lord”.  If we are ashamed of the Lord and His words, then that is what we will receive.  The writer of Hebrews stated, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).  None of us should take such things lightly. If you have not already done such, then let me encourage you to develop a true love for Jesus and the Word of God.  Let today be the day that you change your attitude and your practices.  Let others think and say what they will, but never be ashamed.  Staying true to the Lord is worth all of the effort.  Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33).  Paul knew that his loyalty to Christ was worth it.  He expressed such when he wrote, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
~ Corey Barnette