Are You Ashamed?

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26

This may sound harsh but one of the ways that we show that we love the Son of Man, Yahshua, is to obey his words and tell others about him. If we are not willing to do that because of being afraid of what others may say or do, can we say we really love him? Love is based on action. Many saints in the First Century chose to be thrown to wild animals or burned rather than deny their Lord Messiah. Today in many Islamic, Hindu and atheist countries, Christians who profess Yahshua are often persecuted, have their goods taken away and are imprisioned. Do we have the same "stuff" and determination to preach the Messiah's message no matter what the cost?

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Hebrews 10:34

The silver lining in this cloud is the hope of a better possession and an abiding one. All the glory, riches and social advantages we enjoy now are soon to pass away. They are not enduring and will do us no good when we come face to face with the Master. So we may have to ditch being "politically correct" in favor of telling the Gospel of Yahshua which contends that there is only ONE way to the Father.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

If we are ashamed to proclaim this simple truth, then we have denied who Jesus truly is and his agency as Savior. There are times that we have to part company with the crowd and speak what is right, no matter how unpopular the message may be.

Better is One Day

Psalm 84:10-12 says:

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Now the position of doorkeeper is a lowly one. Not much prestige but it is in fact the role of a servant. Still the psalmist prefers this subservient role for ONE DAY over thousands elsewhere in lofty circumstance.

Sometimes we can get off track thinking that our Heavenly Father owes us material blessings. The first century followers of Yeshua found out very quickly that they were to pick up their torture stake and walk after him. Paul even wrote of those who had their material goods taken away for the cause of the Good News. Hebrews 10:34 Paul so states...

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

That doesn't quite sound like the name it - claim it doctrine being preached today! The focus should not be on the temporal pleasures and "toys" of this world but in the vigorous proclaiming of God's plan of salvation and coming earthly rule by Yeshua. In this way we show that we prefer one day in God's courts within a servant's role over the glitz and passing affections of this world.