Has there ever been a time in your or my life, when we have denied knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior? Maybe this is something we have not done intentionally or with full conscience and awareness, but may have still carried out. Have you ever been with a group of people who may have been talking about how radical Christians can be with there beliefs and practices? These kinds of discussions might arise when topics such as same sex marriage, abortion, or living together outside of marriage come up. And, when this happens you cower down and get silent, even hoping no one asks you if you are a Christian?
We may think by reacting in such a way we are merely doing the right thing by avoiding any type of confrontation. Yet, to say nothing in such situations very well might give others the impression you either agree with them and their beliefs, or you do not profess to be one of those narrow minded, radical people: “Christians”.
Jesus said in many places within Scripture that we are to take up our crosses and follow Him. Jesus stated in John 12:25, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” Jesus stood up to the resentment of His day, that the Father might be glorified in Him, and so He would draw all people to himself as their Lord. In stepping up to the forces opposing Him and His work of salvation, Jesus was subjected to humiliation, mockery, slander, beatings, and a torturous death on a cross. Yet, He would not deny His Father nor deny the purpose for why He came into the world, a purpose established to save you, me, and all mankind from sin, death, and hell. Jesus never turned His back on saving us, and I pray you and I going forward never fail to acknowledge Christ as our Lord and Savior, or Christianity as the faith we profess and the life we desire to live out in this world. Pastor McCarty