Stand for Jesus

Several times this year (and the previous one), I have had to ask myself whether I am truly willing to stand for Christ. I have been in situations where the need to proclaim my faith was essential, and I had to stand up for what I knew to be right and true. But, unfortunately, in most cases, I did not. I chose to remain silent or evasive, preferring to hide away in the shadows and not reveal my possibly “controversial” beliefs.

I used to read the Gospels and wonder how Peter could have denied Jesus after all He had shown and taught him throughout His ministry. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and revealed His great power to him by calming the violent storm and empowering Peter to walk on water. Peter himself declared Jesus as the Messiah and heard the voice of God say at the transfiguration (in the presence of Moses and Elijah): “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” But Peter still denied Him. When the circumstances became fiery, and Jesus was to face the cross, Peter denied Jesus three times, afraid that he would be persecuted too if people knew he was associated with Him.

It saddens me when I think about it. Jesus committed Himself to walking with Peter, teaching him, and shaping him as He did so. He chose Peter before the foundation of the world, and, despite his imperfection, demonstrated His love and mercy towards him. Yet Peter denied him...and so did I.

I was not amid persecution, like Peter; there was no threat to my life, but I denied Jesus. I denied Him every time I felt ashamed to play gospel music out loud. I denied Him when I heard people pass disparaging (critical or demeaning) comments about Christians or Christianity, but chose to remain silent. I denied Him when I dissociated myself with other Christians who might have shown flawed responses to certain situations, forgetting that I, too, am flawed and in deep need of mercy. I denied Jesus Christ, although not directly, like Peter. But truth must be called by its true name; denial is denial.

“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-28)

The cost of denying Christ is high; saving your life for the sake of this world’s approval and acceptance is a weighty decision carrying even weightier consequences: the loss of your soul and that of the gift of eternal life in God’s holy and magnificent kingdom. So, is gaining the world for the sake of this adulterous and sinful generation worth it? Is your life here on earth more valuable than Jesus Christ, who has redeemed you and carries life within Himself? Meditate on these questions as you are faced with the everyday discomfort of being a Christian in this world, and I will do the same. And I hope as I keep doing so, I will realise that it is more blessed, joyous and honourable to experience shame for the sake of Jesus Christ. It is worthy to be likened to Christ, suffering with Him as He did on this earth. Oh, what a treasure and joy!

I pray that God strengthens you with might and boldness to stand up for Him, especially when everyone else will not. I pray that He allows you to be heavenly-minded, always counting rewards and consequences based on eternity. And I pray that His grace follows you where you go, allowing you to experience the joy of taking up your cross and laying down your life for His sake. Amen.