Words from the Rock
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:32–33 NIV
It’s good to have a private relationship with God. Those intimate times when you go one-on-one with your heavenly Father help you to grow. And those quiet moments draw you closer to God as well as strengthen your faith. But if you always keep your faith private, if you keep your beliefs to yourself and your lips sealed, something is wrong.
What if you fell in love and were planning to get married, but you never told anyone about it? Maybe your fiancé asked if you wanted to put an announcement in the local paper, but you said, “No, that’s too embarrassing.” Would your fiancé think you were ashamed? Maybe he would question your commitment. Because most newly engaged people can’t wait to tell everyone. Wouldn’t keeping quiet be cause for concern?
That might be similar to how Jesus feels when you’re unwilling to talk about him. He might wonder about your commitment level or think that you’re ashamed to be in a relationship with him. And it would probably make him sad.
Jesus wants you to speak freely about his involvement in your life. He wants you to be open about what he’s doing and what he’s done for you. It’s one of the main ways he draws others to himself. But if you keep your mouth shut or act like you don’t know him, it’s a serious concern. In fact, doing that suggests that maybe you don’t really know him at all. And if that’s the case, how will he know you? How will he present you to his Father?
My Prayer
Dear God,
Help me to speak freely about you to anyone who wants to hear. Show me natural ways to bring up what you’re doing in my life without shoving it down someone’s throat.
Amen.
Final Word
And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God.
Luke 12:8 NASB
Stone for the Journey
I won’t hide my relationship with Jesus from anyone.