“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 MSG)
As christians there is an awkward feeling that comes upon us when we want to discuss God in public. Suddenly, we become apologetic when there is a need to mention God, especially to unbelievers. This is an attack from the very pit of hell itself. The sense of shame and ridicule is an indication that our hearts are under attack from the devil.
God is not a secret to be kept. The apostles of old went public with their knowledge of God. We cannot hope to advance His kingdom without first receiving help concerning being ashamed of Him. Jesus says whosoever is ashamed of Him here on earth, He will be ashamed of such before His Father in heaven. The shame we feel about Jesus and His gospel is neither neutral nor normal, it is actually damaging and causing loss to the kingdom of God. It may possibly cause us the very kingdom itself.
We must receive grace to go public with our knowledge of God. A city that is set upon a hill cannot be hidden!
ACTION PLAN: Deliberately take action against the feeling of shame about the gospel. Pray fervently for deliverance.
PRAYER: Father, deliver me from the arrows of shame from the pit of hell, about the gospel.
As christians there is an awkward feeling that comes upon us when we want to discuss God in public. Suddenly, we become apologetic when there is a need to mention God, especially to unbelievers. This is an attack from the very pit of hell itself. The sense of shame and ridicule is an indication that our hearts are under attack from the devil.
God is not a secret to be kept. The apostles of old went public with their knowledge of God. We cannot hope to advance His kingdom without first receiving help concerning being ashamed of Him. Jesus says whosoever is ashamed of Him here on earth, He will be ashamed of such before His Father in heaven. The shame we feel about Jesus and His gospel is neither neutral nor normal, it is actually damaging and causing loss to the kingdom of God. It may possibly cause us the very kingdom itself.
We must receive grace to go public with our knowledge of God. A city that is set upon a hill cannot be hidden!
ACTION PLAN: Deliberately take action against the feeling of shame about the gospel. Pray fervently for deliverance.
PRAYER: Father, deliver me from the arrows of shame from the pit of hell, about the gospel.
