BOLDNESS IN OUR DECLARATION OF FAITH

* JOHN 12: 42 & 43

The rulers who believed really did believe in Jesus Christ, but were not bold enough to let it be known that they believed. They were afraid the Pharisees would throw them out of the synagogue. They couldn't declare their faith in the Master.

Just how important is your public image? How does it weigh on the scale in comparison to your public confession of faith? In Mark 8:38, Jesus said if we fail to declare Him before men, He will be ashamed to declare us before His Father, God.

If you are a Christian, then it is most likely that you've surrounded yourself with people of the same creed as you. Among your circle, it is most likely the in-thing to be born-again. But still do you lack the boldness to declare for Christ in the way you relate to new acquaintances, neighbours and friends?

The Pharisees had a reason for hiding their faith. They wanted to retain their exalted places in the synagogue. Today too, we have our reasons for lacking the boldness to live by our faith in the public arena. Sometimes its that 'rep' we feel we have to protect. Or maybe we don't want to lose our boss' favour or perhaps we don't want too many people to know we are Christians so they don't put our lives under the magnifying and scrutinize our every move. We often still want the best of both worlds. Clearly, Jesus said we cannot straddle the line or sit on the fence (Revelation 3:15).

'For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.' GOD'S PRAISE AND PLEASURE IS THE ULTIMATE! (Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Dear friend, why not boldly declare your faith in Him today?