Live Unashamed
The definition of the word “ashamed” is this: embarrassed or guilty because of one’s actions, characteristics, or associations. Feeling ashamed about literally anything, is the absence of freedom. It’s stealing your joy in that moment. God created us to never know shame (Genesis 2.) Of course, as a result of sin entering the world, feelings like shame came with it. But we can choose to live a life of freedom and power. A life unashamed.
Romans 1:16 says, “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.” Paul is writing that he is unashamed of the gospel. The gospel that is centered on our savior who was crucified. The word “gospel” literally means good news. And that’s exactly what it is. We should not be ashamed for this life that we live and who we live it for. Rather, we should shout it from the roof tops! Rejoice in it! Dance because of it! Because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have full access to a relationship with our Lord and eternal life in heaven. What is there to be ashamed about?
It may be hard for some of us to be bold in our faith. Maybe you don’t know exactly what to say, or you don’t want to step on any toes and offend anyone. I get that, I really do. But we can’t let that stop us from living out our purpose of knowing God and making him known. Maybe you also struggle with this. Not because you actually are ashamed, but because you go through seasons where you feel like you’re holding back. You feel a nudge to have a conversation with someone who maybe believes something different than you, and you don’t go through with it out of fear. I know I’ve been there. So, my encouragement to all of you, and to myself, is to step out in faith. We are called to reach the lost, but how can do that if we are not living in our full potential? Be unashamed of who God made you to be and be unashamed to speak truthfully about what you believe and who you believe in.
If you don’t know who you are and whose image you were created in, you will spend all your life chasing the wrong things. Feeling like you’re not good enough, you’re not accepted, and you don’t fit in. I want to remind you that the only One we need to be good enough for and accepted by is our Heavenly Father. And you already are everything, and more, to him. Because we as Christians have access to a personal relationship with God, we don’t have to look for stability and acceptance anywhere else. We can unashamedly be who we are, because we are fully known and fully loved by the creator of the universe.
Like Lecrae says in his song Unashamed, “We aint ashamed, you can call us lame. But everybody gotta die and stand in front of the King.” Yes, I listen to Christian rap ;) And those words strike me every time I hear them. Because one day we are going to come face to face with the Lord. I don’t know about you, but on that day, I want to hear the words “Well done my good and faithful servant.” The thought of that moment keeps me going. Not because I want a pat on the back, but because I want to get to the end of my life knowing that I lived for Christ. I unashamedly glorified him in all that I did. I want to know that the people around me knew Jesus better because of conversations and interactions we had with each other. That’s what it’s all about.
Challenges:
Memorize Romans 1:16. I have a better time understanding and believing things that are engrained in my head. If I can quote, “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” off the top of my head, I can quickly remind myself of that truth, daily.
Pray. My favorite thing. If you’re truly struggling with this, invite the Lord to help. Ask him for strength and a reminder that we are living for HIS glory and acceptance, not that of humans.
Stay eternally focused. Remember who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. We probably will be called lame and we probably will feel like we don’t fit in with some people, but remember who you are living for. When we live with eternity in mind, we start to focus less on the fleeting feelings and emotions that come in this broken world.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for a brand-new start to a beautiful day. I pray that today we would find joy in the little things around us. Thank you for your character, God. That you are kind, loving, faithful, and a friend. Thank you for the FREE gift of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and thank you that we get to share that good news with everyone around us! I pray that we would live a life unashamed of that good news and that we would share it in every opportunity that we get. You are worthy of our praise, Lord. We love you! In Jesus’ name! Amen!