Some may speak well of us for a particular reason and that is a good thing, but if all speak well of us, what has happened to the offence of the cross. Are we hiding what we really are from the world? Are we ashamed of Christ? What if our desire to be accepted by the world is stronger than our willingness to stand for Christ? In that case we think too much of human approval. Are we shamed to identify ourselves a Christians? Even if we are known as Christians, are we uncomfortable about showing the world the values we stand for? If so, we are well on the way to being ashamed of Christ. Shame is a tool which the devil uses in order to put pressure on us. What are we ashamed of? Those deacons who serve well develop, says Paul, ‘great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus’ (1 Timothy 3:13). That is the opposite of shame. It is the mark of one who has fought long and hard to put to death an improper shame. It is part of counting the cost of being Christ disciple, that we weigh up from the very start of the Christian life what it is ging to cost us to follow our Lord, and the Spirit shows us what shame we will have to bear for him. Every believe knows how to avoid persecution by hiding his light under a bushel: Satan makes sure that he knows it, for he strongly tempts him to do it, otherwise Christ would not have given this warning (Matthew 5:15).
When the gospel is preached, the cost of discipleship must be made plain. The last thing the evangelist should do is misrepresent the Christian life to somehow make it more attractive. That will only have the effect of bringing wood and hay into the church, and not gold silver and precious stones. If the Spirit of God is calling someone, they will not be put off be knowing that they must lose the approval of the world. The knowledge that there is a price to pay will convince them that they stand to gain something much greater in exchange.
What is the world’s approval worth to you? Can mankind answer any of the deep questions about life? Does man know where he is going at the end of life? Can he tell you how God who is holy is going to deal with your sin? Can he tell you the way of salvation that God has designed? Mankind cannot solve even his problems in this world, let alone tell you how to be at peace with God?