Acknowledging Jesus Publicly

Chuckle: Kid's comments on angels: "Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!!" --Jack, age 6

Quote: "The trouble with opportunity is that it's always more recognizable going than coming." –Unknown source

ACKNOWLEDGING JESUS PUBLICLY

"If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33 NLT).

In many evangelical Christian churches, an invitation/commitment time occurs at the end of each worship service. This is to give people the opportunity to respond to God's appeal by making a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Jesus does not intend that our relationship with him be kept secret, but He requires a public acknowledgment of our allegiance to him. During His earthly ministry, every person that Jesus called to follow Him was asked to do so publicly. Jesus expects us to let other people know we are Christians -- followers of Christ.

This is a serious issue in a society where keeping our religious beliefs private is seen as desirable by some. Many do not think our Christianity should be acknowledged at work, school, or in any other public venue. There is a concerted effort by some to remove the very mention of God in all public government funded places. Yet we must understand what our Lord expects of us as Christians. When we share our faith one-on-one with others, we acknowledge our Lord in the most direct and fruitful way. Of course, as we acknowledge Christ before men, we must do so with the same love and compassion that Jesus displayed as He drew people to himself.

We acknowledge our Lord by living according to God's holy standards and reflecting the love of Christ in everything we do and say. And acknowledging our Lord publicly by being his witnesses, brings his promises of eternal rewards. To receive rewards, however, should not be our primary motivation for being witnesses for Christ. We should do so out of obedience and heartfelt love and gratitude because of who He is and for what He has done for us -- along with a great unconditional love for those who need to know him as Savior and Lord.

"A Christian's life should stand out to the world as different. We should be like zebras among horses. When our lives are indistinguishable from the world's, we are like albino zebras. They really are zebras, their parents were zebras, they know they are zebras on the inside. But to all who see them from the outside they are no different from horses." Jesus said, ". . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse