There are some folks who insist they are Christian and love Jesus Christ and would never deny HIM. Yet, when certain circumstances arise, they find it advantageous to distance themselves from the TRUTH (John 14:6). This may happen on the job or in social settings where the majority is hostile to the faith of Salvation in Jesus Christ. A Christian may feel pressured to fit in, or to avoid ridicule since much of the Bible sounds like foolishness to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 1:17-19).
This is a shame considering how much Jesus Christ endured for us personally. Jesus was ostracized by HIS own family. HE rarely had a place to lay HIS head at night. And we are familiar with the treatment HE endured before the Cross, on the way to the Cross and while on the Cross. But what does Jesus have to say to those who would claim HIM when it is only convenient?
Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
This also goes for so-called Christians who only behave like Christians at church, home, etc. I know a few so-called Christians who drink alcohol regularly, have sex out of wedlock, cuss like sailors, etc. (see Seeking Holiness (Or Purity) and What If You Had To Literally Walk Around With Jesus Christ Attached To Your Hip?). Although they claim to know the LORD, they too will be shut out of the Kingdom. It’s one thing to say we know the LORD, but to only do what HE commands us to do when it’s convenient, is quite another.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Jesus Christ was obedient to the FATHER all the time, not just when it was conveient. And as we know, Jesus was obedient even unto death. Some may say HE was only obedient because HE knew the future, what GOD the FATHER had promised HIM — to sit at HIS right hand in the Kingdom.
But hasn’t the FATHER also given us HIS Word, that we, too, will have a place in HIS Kingdom? Isn’t that why Jesus Christ allowed HIMSELF to be killed?
John 14: 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
(But many of us, who do indeed know the future, will still deny Jesus).
Those of us who say we live for Christ, we must also be willing to die for Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus calls us to abandon all and follow HIM. Abandon all and follow HIM. Give up family and friends if we have to for HIM. Give up wealth and stature if we have to for HIM. Give up our comfort and conveniences if we have to for HIM. And some Christians are called to die for HIM. The easiest illustration of this are the apostles and many of the believers of old who died violent deaths for confessing Jesus Christ (Acts 6:8-8:2). People all over the world today are imprisoned, tortured and killed for confessing Jesus Christ as the only LORD and SAVIOR (Persecution.com). Perhaps some do recant and disavow Jesus, but others stand for Jesus even unto their very last breath.
And what does Jesus have to say to them? “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).”
There is coming a time (and that time may already be upon us) when those who confess Christ Jesus as the LORD and SAVIOR will be faced with such a decision. The time prophesied of the end (and the end must come), when GOD judges the whole world and all of heaven (Isaiah 13:9-13, Luke 21:25-28, Ephesians 6:10-20, Hebrew 12:25-29), will be a time of persecution for GOD’s people living on earth. We will be faced with the decision to swear allegiance to the anti-Christ, a man who hates GOD and will even present himself as god (Revelation 13:11-18). We say now, “Oh I would never do that.” But what if you’re starving and your children are wasting away before your eyes for lack of food and the only way it seems that you can buy any food to feed your family is to swear allegiance to this man? Would you do this for your children? Or would you be able to wait on and fully trust GOD to provide your sustenance (Luke 12:22-34)?
This time prophesied of the end may seem like a long ways off (and perhaps it is), but what are you doing today? Confessing Jesus in secret rather than on the hilltops? Keeping Jesus in your heart, but refusing to wear HIM on your sleeve?
I am not at all suggesting one stomp about with a marching band declaring Christ as LORD. But let us examine ourselves and see if we are really denying Jesus before our families, friends, co-workers, etc. Let us examine ourselves and see if we are being as faithful to Christ at work, in a social setting, etc. as we are to HIM at home, church, etc. As Paul says in 1 Peter 3:
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
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