Defiantly, Unashamedly, Generously — Speak Truth Unashamedly - Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (ESV)
Growing up, I was the kind of kid who never wanted to miss out on anything. In high school, if there was a club or society, I was probably in it. In college, if there was an event, I was probably there. I remember one gathering in my dorm simply aimed at writing encouraging notes for others — well, and enjoying cookies.
Ironically, as much as I really love people and words, writing cards stresses me out about 95% of the time. Every idea disappears immediately, and the blank page just mocks me. So naturally, I looked through a few other cards first to get ideas.
Follow your heart! You are enough! Put yourself first! Live your truth!
I was honestly shocked by the blatant lies staring back at me. I mean, who at a Christian university is encouraging others to follow their hearts? Was no one paying attention in any Bible class? What happened to Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” or Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander”?
This week, we’ve been talking about one of the three characteristics that make for faithful and resilient Jesus-followers: speaking truth unashamedly. On Sunday, Ben Foote put it this way, “We become ashamed of the Gospel whenever we don’t truly believe it to be indisputable fact… It’s not possible to feel ashamed for believing in indisputable facts, but you can feel ashamed of things you believe to be simply lifestyle choices.”
Viewing the Gospel as merely a lifestyle choice will leave us frustrated with those who choose a different lifestyle. But when we recognize the Gospel as indisputable truth, our hearts are moved with conviction and compassion for the lost and broken who have yet to experience its transforming power. We should never expect someone who doesn’t follow Jesus to live like Jesus.
Before reacting in frustration to a family member or friend’s choices, we need to take a moment to evaluate our own hearts. Are they genuinely striving to walk with Jesus, or are they simply misguided by their own desires? If I had checked my own motives back then, I might’ve seen that so many people around me still desperately needed to hear the truth of the Gospel — regardless of whether we were on a Christian college campus.
Don’t be surprised when the enemy speaks lies. But know the truth and speak it unashamedly, because Jesus is an indisputable fact, and what we believe about Him will always impact every aspect of our lives.
APPLICATION
It’s hard to share the Gospel if we don’t know what it is. Paul summarizes the Gospel in the first eight verses of 1 Corinthians 15. Write these out and commit them to memory so that you can always be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have in Christ Jesus (see 1 Peter 3:15).
PRAYER
Lord, You bore the weight of my sin and shame. You died and rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death. You are the eternal King, the Savior of the world. You will return one day, and when You do, You will crush the forces of evil under Your heel. Jesus, You commissioned me to make disciples of all nations. Remind me that the right moment to share Your Word is always now. Give me a deep desire to know Your Word intimately, that truth may ever be present on my lips. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
