Unashamed for Christ!
I know we all feel the weight of this past week and the present evil in this world. My heart has been heavy with devastation and hopelessness as I look at our lost world and how evil seems to be winning. But oh, how I must take that thought captive and be reminded again of the victory we have through Christ Jesus!
If there’s anything the enemy desires, it’s to lure Christians into fear and intentionally silence their stance for Christ and the advancement of His mission. I’m not saying fear isn’t real, or that the danger of being counter-cultural isn’t a reality for us as believers. But I am here to remind you: evil and death have no power over us in the name of Jesus!
Death is merely the doorway into resurrection life — all it can do is deliver us straight to Jesus. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39).
This truth changes everything. If the very thing most people fear — death — has no hold on us, then truly, what can be against us?
Given those truths, what is there to lose?
Nothing! Christ has claimed our identity, secured our future, and now stirs in us a boldness to go and proclaim the good news found in His name. And if ever there was a time to be bold, that time is now.
“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” - 1 Corinthians 15:50–58
Paul is a vessel of God’s glory and an example for us to follow in boldness for Christ. So how does he remind us of these truths and instruct us in our walk?
Being bold for Christ is rooted in four realities:
1. Our Future Is Imperishable
Paul reminds us of the contrast between the perishable and the imperishable. This earth and all in it are fleeting. But our salvation, secured in Christ Jesus, is eternal!
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
The reality is that nothing in this world holds lasting value. It will all fade. But there is one thing that will never fade — and it’s worth everything: eternal life through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gift has been freely given, without conditions or exceptions. That truth gives us hope and a future. And because of that, we can have boldness to share it — so that others may experience the imperishable life in Christ as well.
2. Jesus Is Returning — Soon
The promise of Jesus’ return brings urgency. If someone you loved was dying of a disease — and you had the cure — wouldn’t you run to tell them? That’s the eternal reality facing every soul. When Jesus returns, there are only two outcomes: eternal life with Him, or eternal separation from God due to sin.
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” - Matthew 24:44
If you knew Jesus was coming back today, how would you live differently? Would you be more obedient? Read His Word more? Be bolder with the Gospel? Then why should today be any different?
And if you don’t know Jesus, repent and believe today. The time is now. King Jesus is coming to make all things new!
3. Death Has No Power Over Us
As previously said, death is merely a doorway into resurrection life. This defeat of death is only possible through our Lord Jesus Christ. For the unbeliever, death is not a friend — it is an enemy.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
But for us who are in Christ, death is defeated. We have an eternal, resurrected destiny with Jesus. Therefore, we must stand firm and unshakable for Him right now. We are to work hard in all we do for the Lord — because what we do now counts for eternity. Our victory is in Christ alone!
4. The Reward Is Real
Our salvation is not earned by works — but if our faith is real, our lives will bear fruit. If you've truly been transformed by the work and love of Jesus, then your life will reflect His calling.
“You must not only work, but you must labor — put forth all your strength; and you must work and labor in the Lord — under His direction, and by His influence; for without Him you can do nothing.” — Clarke
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” - Hebrews 6:10
Your work is not in vain, because the truth that you belong to Jesus is alive and eternal.
So first, be reminded that victory is only found in the one true Son of God, Jesus Christ.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12
Be encouraged that nothing in this world can sting you or strip you of your future in Christ.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39
And be energized by the Holy Spirit to live each day boldly, unashamed of Jesus, and on mission to spread His hope to the ends of the earth!
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
I’ll end with this powerful prayer from Paul in Ephesians:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith —
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” — Ephesians 3:14–19
Christians, let’s exhibit a boldness in Christ like never before!
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