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NOT ASHAMED
The Bible says that our Lord Jesus Christ is NOT ASHAMED to call those whom he has saved, “brethren” (Heb. 2:11). Again, he tells us that concern¬ing those who “desire a better country, that is, an heavenly” he is “NOT ASHAMED to be called their God” (Heb. 11:16). He does not say this because we are sinless or perfect, but because we are seen as IN CHRIST. God has never had any reason to be ashamed of the SON and because, by faith, we are IN HIM, he is not ashamed of us. It is amazing grace that a sinner can be brought to the place where God is NOT ASHAMED of him.
It should follow, that if God is not ashamed of us, we ought not to be ashamed of him and his word. This is exactly what we find in Rom.1:16 where the apostle Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Paul knew that the preaching of the cross of Christ and his resurrection had the power to save sinners. He was never ashamed of it. He did not stop preaching it when someone voiced disapproval. Nor did he stop preaching it when everyone left him. He had found that God was NOT ASHAMED of him and he refused to be ashamed of God and his Christ.
When writing from prison, Paul’s desire was that he should not be ashamed, “but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Phil 1:20). He knew that he had a sinful nature, and that facing death, he would be sorely tempted to be ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ. He determined to magnify (make big) the Lord, and if he died it would be “far better.” Are we preparing ourselves daily by fellowship with the Lord and his people, by reading the Word of God, and by speaking to lost sinners about Christ? We need to be in the school of Christ if we would stand in that day.
The apostle Paul had committed his whole life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Many would say that he had wasted his life, that he should have taken more time for pleasure, that he had been too intense (fanatical) about the Christian life. Many today would not follow his example if he were here. In answer to them Paul could say, “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (II Tim. 1:12). Paul was fully persuaded that the life committed wholly to the Lord would be perfectly and duly recognized for the glory of God at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Soon the Lord Jesus Christ will descend from Heaven to receive us up into glory. The apostle John is concerned that Christians should “not be ashamed before him at his coming” (I John 2:28). He tells us to “abide in him.” This means to stay close to him or dwell in him. Christians should be found where two or three are gathered together in his name, for “there am I in the midst.” They should be found at his feet, learning his word. They should be found where he goes, preaching the word. Where will you be if Jesus comes today? Will you be ashamed? We ought to think about that for a while.
By Paul L. Freeman, Evangelist
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