Are You Ashamed Of Jesus?

Have you ever done anything you are ashamed of? Are there stories from your past that you would not want as headlines in the news? If we are honest, I would bet that the vast majority (if not all) of you would have to say “Yes” to these questions. In light of that, let me ask another question. Are you ashamed of Jesus?

“Ashamed” Defined

At first glance, you may not think these two ideas are connected. However, I think there is more to consider. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word ashamed below:

Ashamed

– feeling of shame, guilt or disgrace
– restrained by anticipation of shame

Our Response To Today’s Culture

In today’s culture, it is becoming increasingly unpopular to claim association with the name of Jesus. As business owners, we have seen multiple examples of other businesses being shunned, persecuted, or outright prosecuted in the courts for their association with Jesus.

Maybe it has not yet happened in your area, but I am sure the following thoughts have crossed your mind. What are we supposed to do? How are we to live out our faith in every area of our lives, including our businesses, if there is risk of this kind of result. Surely God does not want us to lose our businesses? Certainly He would understand if we kept quiet at work, right?

Are We Guilty?

In following any of the above thoughts to their conclusion, I think it is fair to say that we would be acting “ashamed” at the name of Jesus. If we feel any shame, guilt, or disgrace at associating with Jesus, we are guilty. Worse, if we are restrained because of anticipated shame, we are guilty.

Rather than just reading what I have to say, let’s just see what God says about being ashamed by looking at Scripture. In reading the following three passages, I believe you will see that Scripture gives us three responsibilities, as individuals AND as Christian business owners. Read on and judge for yourself.

Responsibility #1 – Remain Faithful

Let’s look at the first passage and see what responsibility jumps out.

Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it.

For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? What can a man give in exchange for his life?

For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38

What jumps out to me is that we are to focus on following Jesus by denying ourselves and remaining faithful, despite the adulterous and sinful generation around us. While there are wise and shrewd ways to avoid litigation or other business disaster, we must not ever be ashamed of Whose we are and what He commands us to do. Our banner must be clear.

Responsibility #2 – Share In Suffering

The next passage that I believe gives us clear responsibility is from 2 Timothy.

Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:6-8

The idea of not being ashamed is in this passage as well, but I think the responsibility that stands out to me is this – share in suffering for the gospel. For some of us, this suffering might mean temporary loss of business or networking relationships. For others it could be much more severe. The point is not the severity of the suffering, but our willingness to trust God with whatever happens.

Responsibility #3 – Preach The Gospel

In this last passage, Paul relates his obligation and eagerness to preach with his lack of shame for the gospel.

I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:14-16

Too often, Christians think that preaching is solely the responsibility of the preacher. While standing behind the podium in church every Sunday might be the job of the preacher, that is not the only way the gospel can be preached. It is our responsibility to preach it through our every action, pointing others to God with our words and deeds.

Encouragement

I encourage you to prayerfully read through this post again, asking God to reveal any ways in which you might be acting like you are ashamed of Jesus and His words. Ask Him to help you align your life and your business with His will in this area. Jesus promised that if we are not ashamed of Him now, then He will not be ashamed of us when He returns.

When you look in the mirror, do you see evidence of being ashamed of Jesus?

Is there similar evidence within your business practices?

What action(s) do you need to take to correct this?

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