Unashamed

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven

Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV

JUST OVER a week ago, Tyson Fury stunned the boxing world when he stopped Deontay Wilder in the seventh round to claim the WBC heavyweight championship. The undefeated Wilder, had gone into the fight as the favourite, but Fury – who had edged the first fight despite it ending in a draw, came out in force and forced the American’s corner to throw in the towel.

Immediately after the fight, in a television interview with American broadcaster ESPN, the British boxer thanked Jesus Christ. “First and foremost, I want to say thank you to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” Fury said, still standing in the ring. “I said those who bring evil against me will not prosper. I said those who stand in the dark can never come into the light. All praise be to the one and only true God, Jesus Christ.”

Despite his sometimes brash personality, fury has always been a strong proponent of his faith. However, the question for you today is – are you as bold as fury when it comes to proclaiming your faith?

Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” But he goes on to say that, “whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV). In a world where proclaiming your faith can end up getting you jailed or worse – killed – it can be easy to be complacent and retreat when it comes to your beliefs. But we must never forget that one of the last instructions that Jesus gave his disciples and consequently us is that – we must go into the world and tell them about the gospel.

No matter how challenging or difficult it is – remember that Christ gave us the assurance that, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:25 NKJV) In fact just last Friday, Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan, was released after 8 years on death row.

Therefore, this week, know that by advancing the Gospel (however strenuous the situation or circumstance is)- you are not only saving your own life like Jesus said but you are also saving a multitude of others and you’ll end up with a beautiful crown when you finally see your Father in Heaven!