UNASHAMED
Communicating about spiritual matters in a secular environment can be challenging. It is far easier to keep our religious thoughts to ourselves than to be vulnerable and express what we know to be true. Yet we should never be ashamed of the gospel. This was precisely Paul's message to the church in Rome: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). His words are timeless and resonate especially in today's culture.
Jesus Himself emphasized this principle. In Matthew 10:32, He promises that those who acknowledge Him before others will, in turn, be acknowledged by Him before His Father in heaven. In Luke 9:26, He goes even further: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory.” These words are powerful and convicting. How could I ever be ashamed of the One who suffered and died for me?
Balancing biblical truth with the desire for unity has challenged the Church throughout history. Two thousand years ago, Paul admonished the Colossian church for blending secular philosophies with their new Christian faith. Today, in our desire for inclusivity, we can likewise be tempted to compromise biblical truth. Yet what a mistake it would be to follow the Pharisees' example and love the “praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:43).
Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is one of the highest expressions of love. When we do so, we imitate Jesus and fulfill His Great Commission. The world is spiritually hungry. Our coworkers, friends, and family members may be longing for meaning, hope, and truth, even when that hunger is not immediately apparent. We must therefore always be ready “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) to “give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). We are called to be ambassadors for Christ whether it is convenient or not.
Paul encouraged believers to pray for opportunities to speak about Jesus. At the same time, he counseled them to be wise in the way they conducted themselves toward those outside the faith. Our conversations should be “full of grace and seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). Peter expresses the same principle when he instructs us to share the reason for our hope “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Our witness should be characterized not only by conviction but also by genuine compassion for those who do not yet know Christ.
When I witness, I remind myself that the Holy Spirit goes before me. We do not need a theology degree to share our faith. Our personal experiences with Christ can provide a powerful testimony—one that may touch a listener's heart in ways that theological arguments cannot. We simply need to be willing to tell our stories.
POINTS TO PONDER
How can we become more attuned to the spiritual hunger beneath the veneers of the people around us?
In part, the answer begins with a Christ-like love for our fellow human beings and a deep desire for their eternal salvation. If we pray daily for opportunities to share our faith, God will provide the insight, sensitivity, and courage we need.
How do we best share the gospel message?
We all have a story to tell about the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. We should not be ashamed of this powerful testimony. Scripture tells us that God has not given us “a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). We are called to share the reason for our hope “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Remember, we are not responsible for changing another person's heart; that is the work of the Holy Spirit.