Are you unashamed of Jesus?

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

In verse 18 it says not to look on the things which are seen but on the things which are not seen. When we see people, do we care about their eternity, or are we just worried about what they think of us? Are we ashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus, or are we ashamed to proclaim His Word? “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.

Do we look at the thing which are seen or the things we can’t see? Do we look at what people think of us, or what they think of God? Do we point them to the only Way, or are we too afraid of offending people to warn them of judgement day? We say we care about them, but do we really? Do we look at the things of this life: comfort, reputation, friends, money? Are we actually laying up treasures in heaven that are eternal, or treasures on earth that are temporal? Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Do the people you talk with know who you are, or do they know who Jesus is? It’s not wrong for someone to know who you are but if you don’t tell them about Jesus how are they going to know the One who saved you? How will they know the One who can save them? In Ezekiel 33 it says that if you do not warn of the coming destruction their blood is on you. But if you do warn (even if they don’t listen) their blood will be on themselves.

Don’t get me wrong the Bible says, “yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. If you will live godly you will be persecuted. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12.

Your reward may not come on earth, but if you preach the word of God and obey it, your reward is promised in heaven. If you listen to Jesus’ last command to us: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

He commands us to go into ALL the world and preach the gospel. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. We would all say we love God if someone asked us, but do we actually love God?

I challenge you to be unashamed of the gospel of Christ, that He will not be ashamed of you when you face Him.