We are not to wear our religion on our sleeves, as an advertisement so to speak, hoping to arouse witness or opportunity to share our testimony; however, God is the only one to open doors and when He does, no one can close it. Don't force the door open; He opens the door no one can close, too (cf. Isa. 22:22). It is not a good idea to see oneself as the representative of Christendom, self-appointed, so-to-speak, and forcing your opinions on others unwilling to hear them. Daniel neither flaunted his religion--it was no secret either--neither did he privatize it to the point that he was ashamed, but was always ready to be a witness when God makes all things beautiful in His time.
Paul felt three things: He was indebted to preach; he was eager to preach; and he was unashamed to preach (cf. Romans 1:14-16). Why? Because he realized the power of the gospel message and that if you can get your message around to that subject and make a beeline for the gospel itself (how God solved the sin problem through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ), then the Holy Spirit can convict (cf. John 16:8-11) a person of their sins and of the truth of the Word and testimony of Christ--this is where the power is!
We are not to parade our spirituality as the Pharisees did, who loved to stand in the streets and have their long prayers heard and wear clothes that looked "spiritual." Our religiosity should be a private manner and when we pray it should be in our prayer closet. However, Jesus said to let your good works be seen by men, that they may glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus said (Matt. 6:1) not to practice our righteousness before men, to be seen by men (then we've had our reward).
Personally, I have discovered that, once unbelievers find out you are a Christian, they dog your every step, hold you up to intense scrutiny, judge you, gossip about you, and you are always living in a glass house, as it were, exposed and under their radar. Be ready to follow Jesus and bear your cross once your testimony is known--you don't know where it'll lead, even having dire results (faith is not despite the evidence, but ins spite of the consequences).
Paul felt three things: He was indebted to preach; he was eager to preach; and he was unashamed to preach (cf. Romans 1:14-16). Why? Because he realized the power of the gospel message and that if you can get your message around to that subject and make a beeline for the gospel itself (how God solved the sin problem through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ), then the Holy Spirit can convict (cf. John 16:8-11) a person of their sins and of the truth of the Word and testimony of Christ--this is where the power is!
We are not to parade our spirituality as the Pharisees did, who loved to stand in the streets and have their long prayers heard and wear clothes that looked "spiritual." Our religiosity should be a private manner and when we pray it should be in our prayer closet. However, Jesus said to let your good works be seen by men, that they may glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus said (Matt. 6:1) not to practice our righteousness before men, to be seen by men (then we've had our reward).
Personally, I have discovered that, once unbelievers find out you are a Christian, they dog your every step, hold you up to intense scrutiny, judge you, gossip about you, and you are always living in a glass house, as it were, exposed and under their radar. Be ready to follow Jesus and bear your cross once your testimony is known--you don't know where it'll lead, even having dire results (faith is not despite the evidence, but ins spite of the consequences).
We must all be willing to confess Jesus before men (cf. Matt. 10:32) and make our faith known publicly--there is no secret service in the Christianity, nor spiritual lone rangers who have no ties to the body--we must be willing to show our Christian colors and prove ourselves worthy to suffer for His sake, and this means taking stands and even risking a political stance and standing up for Jesus, not standing on the sidelines, losing by default or neglect--conceding everything away on the open marketplace of ideas!
The Bible exhorts us to "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15, KJV). Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to do it's convicting (cf. John 16:8ff)--we cannot do this, but only God can. If we can't defend our faith we merely confirm unbelievers in their unbelief and miss an opportunity, of which we will give account for. Jude 3 exhorts all believers to "earnestly contend for the faith," and this implies studying "to present oneself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed... (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15, NASB)."
Sometimes a celebrity or public personage announces that he or she is a Christian and even that they are proud of it. Jesus may get a bad rap if the person seems hypocritical and doesn't live up to his talk and there is no discrepancy. He simply hasn't yet earned the right to speak up and should not make himself the spotlight or an issue. One dubious politico recently said, "I'm proud to be a Christian" in the press; this came as a shock to many evangelical, conservative, and fundamental believers. Too premature of a witness may jeopardize a testimony when one's character belies or contradicts what one says.
The Bible exhorts us to "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15, KJV). Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to do it's convicting (cf. John 16:8ff)--we cannot do this, but only God can. If we can't defend our faith we merely confirm unbelievers in their unbelief and miss an opportunity, of which we will give account for. Jude 3 exhorts all believers to "earnestly contend for the faith," and this implies studying "to present oneself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed... (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15, NASB)."
Sometimes a celebrity or public personage announces that he or she is a Christian and even that they are proud of it. Jesus may get a bad rap if the person seems hypocritical and doesn't live up to his talk and there is no discrepancy. He simply hasn't yet earned the right to speak up and should not make himself the spotlight or an issue. One dubious politico recently said, "I'm proud to be a Christian" in the press; this came as a shock to many evangelical, conservative, and fundamental believers. Too premature of a witness may jeopardize a testimony when one's character belies or contradicts what one says.
No one deserves to be the incarnation of Christendom and the universal witness for Him as the representative of Christ on earth, or Head of the Church; we are mere ambassadors of Christ! Finally, a word to the wise should be sufficient with this caveat: We will be judged by our witness--the faith you have is the faith you show! Soli Deo Gloria!
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