Are You Ashamed of Christ?

by Isaac Cantrell

Are you ashamed of Christ?

Before you answer that question, let’s think of Peter and the disciples. They never thought they would ever deny Christ, but sadly, it happened. When Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times, do you remember what Peter said:

“Peter said unto him, ‘Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.’ Likewise also said all the disciples.” (Matt. 26:35)

How could it be that these men who lived side by side with God-in-the-flesh could be ashamed of Him and deny Him? Did they not see Him raise the dead right before their eyes? Did they not see Him make the lame to walk and the blind to see? Did they not witness Him exercise His authority over evil spirits as He commanded them to come out of a person and they obeyed Him immediately? And yet they still were ashamed of Him. They denied Him. Are we so much better than they? Have we not seen some of what they have seen? We have seen His power and tasted of His grace and yet we can still be ashamed of Him. Do we accept His grace and pardon for sin and still act ashamed of this One who so lovingly gave His life for us? Absurdity.

The truth is, however, when God gives us opportunities every day to stand up for Him and we shrink back away from the situation, we show very evidently that we are ashamed of Him. When He prompts our hearts to speak up to a friend on matters of the kingdom of God and we don’t, we show that we’re ashamed of Him. When He gives us clear instructions in His word on all matters of life of Godliness, and we neglect them, we show that we despise (treat lightly) Him and that we are ashamed of Him. May God grant us the boldness and the courage of Paul who said:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16a)

How can we be ashamed of God’s power? Being ashamed of ourselves is one thing, but being ashamed of the almighty God and His gospel is unfathomable! It is the very power of God. What is there to be ashamed of!?

Lastly, always remember, Jesus was never ashamed of us. It says in Hebrews 11 of those that desired a better country – that is, a heavenly city – God is not ashamed to be called their God. God is not ashamed of us. Let us “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”(Heb. 12:2). He despised the shame of the cross for you and for me.

How could we ever be ashamed of Him?