I was sitting in church today and the speaker briefly mentioned Romans 1.16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ... I started thinking about that verse. How often am I ashamed of the gospel or saying what I believe in? Fairly often. I am one of those people that hate confrontation and wants everybody to like me. It can be good, but it can also be hugely detrimental. The more I think about it the more I believe that being ashamed or afraid of sharing what I believe in really weakens my faith.
Sometimes, I'm even afraid to be honest with myself with what I believe in, because of the consequences it will have. Won't it take away the music I "love" or the popular movies or some of the "friends" I have? Yes. It probably will, but what is more important, a song, a "friend" who wouldn't miss me if I dropped off the face of the world, a couple hours of mindless entertainment OR rock solid convictions and beliefs that I am willing to sacrifice all I have for because the God of the universe who sent His only (got that? His ONLY Son!) for me, because He LOVED me? I'm thinking the latter...but that doesn't make it easy. It will be and is a fight. But the consequences of the other decisions cause SO much damage. Trust me, I know. I've tried it. It hurts relationships with the people you should be worried about keep a relationship with. It hurts your walk and relationship with God. It can end up causing so many issues that take a long time to work through and heal from.
I kept reading as the speaker continued to preach. He moved on to Hebrews 11.16. Where a verse caught my attention and took my breath away. It fit so perfectly. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God... God is willing to claim us. With all of my flaws, sins, fickleness, ect. Wow. I am ashamed to claim Him as my God? Wow. He is so patient with us. So loving. So kind. It is mind boggling. How can I be ashamed of a perfect, loving God when He is willing to claim me? I don't know. I'm working on processing it all.
I guess in closing, remember that any sacrifices you make for God will be rewarded in ways you can't even comprehend or imagine. He sees everything. The sacrifices or the stubbornness of not wanting to give something or somebody up. He knows what's inside even if I hide it from the rest of the world. It's time to start living out my beliefs and convictions for real, not just as a charade because that's what I want people to see. For I am not ashamed....
