“If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, His Father, with an army of the holy angels.” Mark 8:38
Luke 9:23-27 MSG
“Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I Am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with Me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when He arrives in all His splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”
Have you ever heard these statements or have you said them yourself at some point, only to swallow it after you encountered Jesus on your Damascus Road? “ My religion is personal to me,” “I have my own relationship with Jesus, “ I love Jesus but I’m a very private person,” “I don’t need to wear my religion on my sleeves,” or this famous one “Jesus knows my heart” that’s a real laugh out loud one. I’m here to tell you it’s personal but it ain’t private. We’re not born again to be secret saints. We’re called to the great commission. What is the great commission someone may be wondering? Let me introduce you to why you were chosen.
“Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave His charge: “God authorized and commanded Me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 MSG
Our first assignment after being equipped is to go. Once you have an understanding through being discipled, of the ways of Jesus through teaching and studying the Word you are compelled to go. It’s selfish to want to keep the good news (the gospel is called good news) to ourselves. Now, I’m not telling you to be obnoxious, but I am asking you to be led by His Spirit and share your personal testimony with others. Your approach must never be argumentative, but gracious. Never forced but confident. Knowledgeable but not arrogant. Self-assured but not demeaning or condescending, but sharing always from a place of love and understanding. Even Christians don’t agree on scriptures, never understood that, but it’s the age old I just see it differently than you thing. The devil’s way of keeping the body of Christ divided. I used to argue scriptures as a young believer in Jesus. I was Determined to get my point across. But as I have matured through teaching and the study of the Word, my approach has mellowed. I’ve learned to agree to disagree diplomatically. I’m learning that I don’t have to convince anyone to believe as I do. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.
But opposition doesn’t negate the fact that we’re called to be ambassadors for Christ. Peter tells us in the following passage below:
1 Peter 3:13-15 MSG
“If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 MSG further confirms what we’re called to do and be.
“All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and Him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what He is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ Himself now: Become friends with God; He’s already a friend with you.”
No one can deny your personal encounter! No one can question or cast doubt on your personal testimony. It’s personal for a reason, so that it can’t be disputed when it’s no longer private. I had this running line on the job. A coworker would ask, “so Winsome what’s going on?” My response would be Jesus, so how much time do you have? Lol I’d follow up with, He’s always up to something. The great apostle Paul wrote these words:
“It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives.””
Romans 1:16-17 MSG
Another translation reads: I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ!
What do we have to be ashamed of? If anyone were to be ashamed it would be Jesus! He who knew no sin BECAME sin for us! We received the great exchange! So the next time you slink back from sharing the Good, glad, merry news that makes me want to shout for joy, remember Jesus got the short end of the stick. We now have a reason to hold our heads up and stick our spiritual chests out and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord! He deserves that. So yes! It may be personal, but it ain’t private.
I hear a song coming on lol do you hear a song? Sing it loud and proud. He deserves it all!!
Jesus I celebrate you today and everyday! You became sin for us, so that we would be made the righteousness of God in You! What an amazing exchange we received. How can we be silent Who have received such a great salvation? I/we declare today that we are not ashamed! We will carry out the great commission, to tell those we meet of Your great love. You have fully equipped us by giving us Your Holy Spirit to help us spread this good news. Thank you for giving us the privilege to share our personal story, personal yet not private. In Your Name Jesus we pray. Amen
If we hold on to what is to be given away, it will become like grains of sand between our fingers, and no one benefits, not even you. WT
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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