“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20
What makes this word stand out from the others: bold. It looks different than all of the others, doesn’t it? That’s because it is in a bold font, making it appear bigger and darker than the other words around it. Well, when a Christian is bold and unashamed of their faith, they will stand out as different from someone without Christ.
To be ashamed means to feel shame or guilt, or to be embarassed. It could also be the feeling of not wanting to be associated with someone or something.
I can remember several times, many years ago, how in school we would all be given our report cards to take home to our parents, showing all of our grades for our subjects. Well, some of my classmates sometimes did not receive very good grades, and they would throw those report cards into the trash because they did not want their parents to see their poor grades. They were “ashamed” of their grades.
For another example of this, we can look to Matthew 26, right before Jesus was crucified. What happened when people said that Peter was one of those with Jesus, and what did Peter say? Peter denied knowing the Lord. Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus. Obviously later he was forgiven by Jesus, but at that time, Peter was not bold in his faith. He didn’t want others to know that he was with Jesus. However, later as his faith grew, he was not ashamed, but became bold, and let Christ be magnified in his life.
Christians are supposed to stand out from the world, so that when others in the world see us, they will see the difference in the way that Christians live and act. We want the world to see the love of Christ working in our lives, and that won’t happen if someone is ashamed of Christ. We need to be bold, and unashamed.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Paul wasn’t embarrassed to preach the gospel. He wanted Jesus to be glorified everywhere he went, and was willing and ready to give his life for the sake of the gospel.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Someone who is unashamed of something will freely admit something; that’s my dad, that’s my house, that’s my car. That’s my God. Jesus is our God, and we are unashamed to call Him our God and let others know this as well.
We only get one chance at life on this earth. One life to show this world the true love of Christ. Don’t waste it because you are embarrassed to tell others about Jesus. Be bold. Unashamed. Make it count.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 