Are We Ashamed?

It is a truism that people “like to be liked”.  From childhood on, we cherish the relational experience of being with those who have mutual interests and who enjoy spending time together.  It is important to be a part of such a community, supporting others, earning trust and respect, and being valued.  Throughout this life journey, one of the challenges is building and maintaining such a positive reputation.   Inevitably, a poor decision occurs – conduct inconsistent with our desired character. Often the outward expression comprising our misstep comes through the tongue.  The Apostle James illustrated the potential destructive power employing the metaphor of a small rudder steering a great ocean vessel.  Ashamed of our behavior, we pursue a path of restoration, expressing remorse, and seeking forgiveness.

But sometimes people feel ashamed of their association when we do what is right.  It was an exciting time when I came to faith in Jesus Christ.  I was passionate about the second coming of Christ, enthusiastic to tell others about the need to “get right or get left”.  That is to say, if Jesus were to return, those who have an faith will be brought into His glory.  Those who have rejected Him will experience separation for all eternity.  I wasn’t shy about telling others, taking a stand for an authentic faith in Jesus, and encouraged others to give serious consideration.  I proclaimed the need to abandon worldly ways of the past, to seek a humble and obedient life walking in a manner pleasing to God.  Certainly, acknowledging the need to follow Jesus’ teaching and to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was commendable.  And yet this newfound devotion to Christ left my acquaintances wondering what had transpired that such zealous conviction would emerge in my attitudes and actions.  I was viewed as fanatical, which made people uncomfortable, embarrassed to be in any association for fear their own reputation would be tarnished.  It was necessary to distance themselves from one with such a socially unacceptable portrayal of the Christian faith.

In Romans chapter 1, the Apostle Paul makes a very bold declaration.  He was not ashamed of being associated with Christ, zealously advocating for the gospel.  Here was a man who experienced a major life transformation by the call of Jesus.  He experienced an “About-Face” event in spiritual pursuits – now fully for Christ.  From a worldly perspective, he gave up much in his change of allegiance from persecuting Christ to humble submission to the same.   His reputation as the former student of the great Rabbi Gamaliel, clearly excelling beyond his peers as a pharisee, was left in shambles.  All association with this one formerly known as Saul of Tarsus was rejected even as he had clearly forsaken the tenets and truths of the Jewish faith.   And yet he remained undeterred in his devotion to his Savior and Lord.  His life was one of incredible sacrifice that he might stand firmly for the truth of the gospel for which he was not ashamed. 

And now it gets personal – what about concern for our own reputation?  Are we ashamed to be known as followers of Jesus Christ?  Do we shy away from full disclosure, careful to guard our words and actions for fear of being ostracized because of what the world considers religious fanaticism?  Do we hold so dear the opinions of others that we are unwilling to share the only message of hope to a lost and dying world?  We are called to stand firm for the gospel, the power of the God for salvation to everyone who believes.   He is the only true God of the universe, creator of all things, omnipotent, omniscient, immutable – the savior of the world.   As those claiming to call Jesus Christ Savior and Lord, an examination of the heart is warranted.  Looking in the mirror, the question must be asked, “Are we Ashamed?” 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16