The Fellowship of the Unashamed
Romans 1:16-NKJV-For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God, to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
In today’s world people are standing up for the strangest things and being completely confident that they are right. There is a church of the spaghetti monster and the members have petitioned and won to have their drivers license picture taken with a spaghetti colander on their head like a hat. To you and I that would seem really strange (and it is), but to these individuals they are so sold out to this idea that they don’t care what people think.
As I go through my day I see people everyday that are trying to be different to fit in. Gayle and I did youth ministry for 11 years and I would ask the young people why they were in such a hurry to be independent so that they could be like everyone else. Everyone is looking for a purpose and wants to belong.
We as Christians have the answer and yet we often do not share the answer when people are asking whether by questions or actions. I want to encourage you that contrary to popular belief, the world as a whole is not as against Christians as much as social media and the news media would lead you to believe.
I AM NOT ASHAMED should be our war cry to the world. But let me say that each of us has our own personality that dictates how we are not ashamed. Some are direct and to the point, others are helpers being the hands and feet of Jesus, some wear Christian clothing and look for people to ask questions. There is no wrong way to share the gospel and each of us must recognize the gifts that God has given to us and appreciate that everyone is not going to share the gospel the way that we do. The Bible says in I Peter3:15-16-NASB-but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
The purpose of our ministry and this blog is to invite you to join our “Fellowship of the Unashamed” and proudly and loudly (or softly) proclaim the gospel that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and He wants to be theirs also. I want to end with this letter that was written by an African pastor who was facing execution the next morning. After he was executed this letter was found in his cell. I read this every morning as a prayer, oh Lord help me to be this UNASHAMED.
“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.”
“My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.”
“I now live by faith, lean in his presence, walk by patience, am uplifted in prayer, and I labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.”
“I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.”
“I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And, when He comes for His own, He will have not problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear!”
Gayle and I want to challenge you to join us and become a part the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”
Working Until He Comes,
Robert
