“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God…the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Luke 12:8-12
Acknowledging Jesus Christ, publicly, is a fruit of the salvation God has granted the Christian. In our verses today, Jesus is teaching that saved people will have ample opportunity to acknowledge their faith in Jesus publicly. Jesus, also, addresses those who deny Him and will not publicly acknowledge Him. Jesus said that such people will be denied by Him in Heaven. There are many who claim to be Christian but, they do NOT demonstrate their salvation in their day to day life. Maybe they are like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who hid their faith from their peers until they boldly asked for and buried the body of our Savior and Lord, Jesus. Though Scripture says little more of these men, other unsubstantiated accounts tell that Joseph of Arimathea was the uncle of Jesus’ mother, Mary. Joseph supposedly made many trips to Britain for trade and is said to have eventually brought the gospel to that country. Nicodemus was similar to Joseph of Arimathea in that he was a disciple of Jesus but had not yet mustered the courage to declare his faith openly. But, the record of Joseph’s and Nicodemus’s burial of Jesus’ body was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and their declaration of faith. But, how public was it? Christians today are commanded to go and tell the gospel. Being secret about one’s faith is a default to denying Jesus. If you claim to be a Christian but, fear the backlash of your peers, family, friends and/or, employer, your faith is weak or, non-existent. True Christians follow and obey their Great Shepherd, Jesus. Christians do not shy away from opportunities to proclaim their faith and the gospel. Seek Jesus! For, those who earnestly seek Him will find Him and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to testify to God’s great Grace, Mercy and salvation!
Source: S C Ball February 17, 2023
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