Being Ashamed Of Christ
“I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me. Whoever doesn’t live in me is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned" (John 15:5-6 GWT).
Some many years ago before I became a Christian, I often wondered where some Christian folk got their boldness from by speaking freely about Christ to others. In return, I would often feel embarrassed for them when I noticed how some people were simply just ignoring them. As it was, some thoughts occupied my mind that if I one day become a Christian, I certainly would keep my faith to myself and not let others know. In other words, I felt ashamed of talking about Christ, and that was my state of mind before I became born again.
Furthermore, when I got my first job back in 1989 I was interviewed and offered the job by a Christian manager. He had a very calm and gentle demeanor; he displayed great care toward me, but little did I know he was a Christian as he never shared Christ with me or with any of my colleagues. It was only after my conversion in February 1990, that I discovered he was a Christian. Being a naturally shy person and as I alluded to above regarding my feeling embarrassed for Christian folk, I 'insanely' could not keep Christ to myself (Jeremiah 20:9; 23:29). I was a changed person, and the urge to share the JOY of my salvation with others came just spontaneously. As a result, he (our Manager) became one of my first targets for witnessing and that was when he told me that he also was a born-again believer but he acted like a Christian who was hiding his light under the bushel (Matthew 5:15) and no doubt we find similar Christians today.
The Fire Of God's Word
In our lead Scripture above, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself says that those who live in Him will produce a lot of good fruit. In addition, the Lord also stated that a branch that does not live in Him dries up and it is being thrown away to be burned up. Such is the destiny of a non-witnessing and non-fruit-bearing Christian. Brethren, as we all know the world's political climate is slowly but surely moving towards a new world order and there will come a time when we will not be allowed to share and spread this precious gospel (John 9:4). Thus, with the freedom we enjoy today of both sharing and living our faith let us share Christ and change lives and win souls for the Lord's Kingdom. Like the prophet Jeremiah said (Jeremiah 20:9), no Spirit-filled, born-again Christian lacks boldness and courage if you do, you are not living in Him (John 15:5).
Blessed Regards
Brother Glenn
