TO KNOW: NOT ASHAMED

TO KNOW: NOT ASHAMED

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

Romans 10:8-11 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

The Amplified New Testament: Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God) [Romans chapter 4], and with the mouth he confesses – declares openly and speaks out freely his faith – and confirms [his] salvation.

  (As stated in previous DT I will be and am now addressing the question “To know?”)

  It happens even in church, the place we go to praise God; our corporately proclaiming Jesus is Lord, but quickly shifting conversations back to otherwise matters after the benediction.

  When was the last time anyone asked to hear my salvation testimony, what new spiritual thing I’ve learned, how they might pray for me or others, told me how I could intelligently pray for them or of God’s Holy Spirit working in their life, or asked me to pray with them at that moment, or anything much in the way of spiritual inquiry? Almost as rarely as I’ve seen chickens with teeth.

  How often do I ask such eternally important questions of people? How often do I speak to others about Jesus? Not often enough. How often do we verbally honor Jesus as Lord in all things that we do?

  I will soon receive another yearly Christmas letter from a financial manager, a man not ashamed of Jesus in any way shape or form. Not at all in-your-face, but gently confident in his responsibility and desire to share truth everlasting; including in his business letter “As the days go by I am continually reminded of the spiritual aspect of life. I have taken the liberty to enclose a website address that shares a spiritual perspective that has given me great peace and comfort. Please feel free to visit the website if you have opportunity. Backtothebible.org  Scroll down to ‘Jesus Who?”’

  What is this business man doing? Doesn’t he know he could lose customers and income by mentioning Jesus? Doesn’t Tom care about his family? Is he crazy . . . or not ashamed?

  Christian fellow and friend Mark was suddenly out of work after 23 years of steady employment. It couldn’t happen at a worse time as there were medical bills piling up at the rate of about 2,000+ dollars a day, soon surpassing $300,000. A possible position opens up with a company in his field. The day of the final interview arrives and interviewer presents their final big question, “What makes Mark Mark?” He, without hesitation, says “Jesus.” and explains how and why. Mark did not get the job. Is he goofy . . . or not ashamed?

  Is “Whosever believes in Him [Jesus is Lord] will not be ashamed.” evidence of salvation?  What does God say? What do we say?  EBB4