My husband and I went to the lunch the other day and we were talking about how obsolete the name of Jesus is becoming.
How it can be easier to talk about anything, really, other than Jesus….and somehow it’s acceptable.
Scripture reminds us that the name of Jesus in and of itself is offensive.
Yet, the stone the builders reject is the cornerstone. (1 Peter 2:7-8)
The cross is foolish to those who are perishing, but to those who are saved, it’s the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18)
And as a result of this political correctness…
We can take our faith and hide it away in a closet of shame, feeling fearful or intimated.
Yet, some say, our silence is a way we evangelize people. Other’s say, it is our job to be muted, as if a deaf gospel somehow might glorify Jesus.
Tweet ThisBut, I say, it’s time Christian’s speak out. I believe, God wants to empower people who are more fearful of offending God, than fearful of people.
Galations 1:10 tells us, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
How might the world change, if believers stopped feeling intimdated, ashamed, locked in guilt, fear, and condemnation…..and brought their faith out of their closets?
What if we professed confidently and boldly that our God is more than some trinket or commodity we can hide and keep hidden in our homes or closets?
- What if when we profess Jesus unintimidatingly, we truly believed our Savior will then profess us to the Father when we get to heaven. (Luke 12:8, Matt 10:32)
- What if we were not ashamed of the gospel that is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes? (Romans 1:16)
- Isn’t it when we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and confess it in our hearts, we can trust and understand, and know that we will be saved? (Romans 10:9)
Jesus never said, stuff your faith in a closet.
I mean, how is God glorified by our silence?
All throughout scripture we see that even when Christ told people to keep silent about their encounter with Him, the people refused to stay muted…
The joy from encountering Jesus always trumps people’s rules and mandates to say nothing.
So, this is my challenge. At UNITE this week, will you consider writing, or taking a short video of your own talking about how you are taking your faith out of the closet?
Will you share this video, or hashtag #ChristainsComingOut and start a movement of believers who are bold, unafraid, unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” ~ Acts 4:12
It’s time for UNITE!
Please share and post a link below. It can be any family friendly post, it doesn’t have to be a vlog or related to this topic!
24 Comments
Thank you for sharing this powerful video Jen.
I listened to all of it and shared on my Facebook wall.
God bless you
Ifeoma – Your awesome! Thanks for sharing! Your such a blessing, Ifeoma! Have a great week!
This post is bold and beautiful. Convicting.
I love it! Thank you.
Christ is and shall always be praised.
M.D. – Thanks! And amen, friend!
Thank you for hosting!
Thanks for being here, Debbie!
” . . . at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and ever tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
It’s gonna happen.
We might as well start now. . .
Thanks for leading the way!
Michele – Your comment makes me think of that saying, “Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his (her) knees.”
Yes, let’s start now!
A deaf or muted gospel will never glorify Jesus. So true. As I ponder on that I think neither will a deaf or muted blog. Makes all the difference on why I want to blog.
Thanks for the party Jen.
Debbie – Hhhmm….I so get you, friend! I have too often compromised the message here for the sake of appeasing people. Lord, forgive me! Help us to be fearless, bold, confident in who You are, and fearless in blogging about the message YOU have called us to, Lord!
Amen, Jen! It’s time to boldly speak the name of Jesus. Loving others well doesn’t mean being silent. It’s loving them well and telling them it’s because of Jesus love is even possible. You shine His love my friend!!
Yes, all because of Him, friend….ALL because of Him! Have a great week, Deb!
Thank you for your boldness and encouragement. There is power in the name of Jesus yet like you pointed out, we seem to be hearing that name less and less. Thanks for hosting too! Found you through the Moments of Hope link up.
Mindy – So love you stopping by! Your comment makes me think of that song, “There is power in the name of Jesus….to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain.” Yes, and amen! Might we be unafraid to speak His precious name!
This is beautiful and wow, awakening!
Jesus came that we may have a full life. We should remember this truth always so we can live life according to how we’re called.
Thanks for this reminder.
Lux – That’s my heart, friend….That the world might AWAKEN to His love & know the joy in life abundant! So appreciate your comment today!
It’s so easy to feel like a “dinosaur” in our current anti-Christ culture. I proudly and unashamedly stand with you in declaring the name of Jesus as the only Way, Truth and Life.
Elizabeth – That’s right, sister! We have an unfailing, unchanging, unconditional, all-consuming, all-powerful God! One, man couldn’t justify away, history couldn’t nullify, people can’t intellectualize, science can’t explain, and other religions can’t disintegrate! He rules and reigns, now, forever, in eternity, and always! His name is so worthy to be praised! The ONLY way, truth, and life! Thanks for stopping by! ~ Jen
I feel like blogging has really helped me become bolder in ‘real life’;) I already have my heart out for the world to see, I bare my soul, so…I might as well not stop there.
i don’t believe Jesus ever intended for us to be quiet about the gospel…He didn’t say to go to all nations and be silent. He said for us to preach the gospel. Thanks for this reminder and for linking up with Grace and Truth.
Aimee – O.k. Soooo, your comment got me curious! You shared such a good point, God didn’t say, “Go unto all the world and…..’be a good person'”, He said, “Go unto all the world and PREACH the good news.” (Mark 16:15)
I started researching & found “preach” to be the word “kerusoo” in Greek. It’s meaning?
Kerysoo = to herald (proclaim); to preach (announce) a message publicly and with conviction (persuasion).
I LOVE that….with conviction and persuasion!! It’s mentioned 32 times in the Gospels alone!! How cool is that? Thanks for stirring my curiosity & applying scripture to this call to come out of our closets and speak boldly!
Jen,
Amen! I join you … no fear. Living the love and hope – the gospel of Christ out loud! I agree with you, that a pressure is put on people to not speak of Jesus because it is no politically correct. It is so very sad. I haven’t been one to be quiet about Him, but it grieves my soul to see others hiding from the pressure! I love your movement and am so thankful you linked up this week at Moments of Hope!
I love your link-up, as well, and will join in next week!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori – Thanks for being a part of UNITE, and for joining us! Welcome! Your comment makes me think of the kind of things shared publicly; from suggestive lyrics, to provocative photos, to blunt and rude illustration etc. etc…..And yet, a man who was born innocent, lived humbly, and what pierced, and died that we might live….somehow offends people? Oh that we might be fearless in expressing, the truth of where our hope, and power, and glory rests in….JESUS! Again, thanks for sharing!
Jen, loved hearing your voice on the video so much! When I taught at the Christian school for many years, I had a poster on the wall of a guy covered in a sheet, and under it I posted the tag line “Don’t Be an Undercover Christian.” Thanks for this encouragement to let our lights shine brightly in the midst of this ever increasingly dark world.
xo
Lyli – So good! Yes, unlike some religions where people have to mask their identity, change their names, lie pretending to be one thing, but really being another….we can live free, open, candid, transparent. What a gift to be able to share authentically who we are…without living afraid or in deception! Such a powerful poster! Impacting, for sure!