Ashamed: June 11, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 11, 2013.

ASHAMED

DEFINITION:

Feeling shame, distress or embarrassment by feelings of guilt; unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule or disapproval.

SCRIPTURE:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16.

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God. I Peter 4:16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Recently, we have noticed a fear among believers who know the Lord concerning their desire to communicate to others about their faith. As a result of the influence of the liberal media and the pressure of being "politically correct" there is a moving away from the Judeo-Christian principles that our country was founded on and many Christians are drawing themselves into a so called "shell."

They do this because they do not want to cause conflict and be ridiculed for their faith and beliefs. It seems they are ashamed to let others know that they are a Christian. Being ashamed of our faith is not of God and dishonors Him.

Peter instructs us not to be ashamed of our faith and if any of us do suffer as a result of our faith we can give glory to God through that suffering. In Romans, Paul tells us that it is important for believers to understand that the reason we are not to be ashamed of the gospel message of our faith in Christ is because it is, "the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16, above). It is through us that God brings His message of salvation to others.

More than at any time in history God is expecting us, as Christians, to stand up for what we believe. God has not promised us that it would be easy and that we would not run into those who disagreed with what we believed, some even violently.

All we have to do is look at the life of Paul and the apostles in the book of Acts to see that this is true. God has promised that if we stay true to Him and keep, as we say, "PRAYED UP," then He will lead and guide us through every situation.

Anytime we, as a believer, are in a situation where we are outnumbered it is hard not to feel inadequate. We learn in Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul’s young associate, that he was concerned that Timothy would weaken under pressure and not be able to stand strong against false teachers in the church at Ephesus. Paul had sent Timothy there as his representative and to be their pastor.

Paul wrote Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” II Timothy 4:12.

There is no better way to show that we are not ashamed of the gospel message than make it evident by example. Paul lists five areas in which we are to set an example:
•    Speech
•    Conduct (righteous living)
•    Love (sacrificial service to others)
•    Faith (commitment)
•    Purity
Do not be ashamed of your faith. Glorify God by living an exemplary life and let others see Christ in you.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

PRAYER:

Help me not to be ashamed of what You have given me. Thank You for the assurance of eternal life and the assurance that You will be with me every moment of this day. Encourage my family, my friends and my neighbors who know You to stand up for what they believe. Give each one of us today many opportunities to share with others what You have given to us.