Approval

Speaking up against the culture is always a very difficult thing. Being the minority can put one in a very difficult position. 

In John 12, we read about Mary anointing Jesus' feet with the costly perfume. On the very next day, the crowds worshipped Jesus as they waved palm branches and proclaimed him as their king. He then, teaches a discourse concerning the cost of following Him and in hidden pictures spoke of His death and victory over death. After this John says this: verses 42-43; "Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; FOR THEY LOVED THE APPROVAL OF MEN RATHER THAN THE APPROVAL OF GOD.

This is a powerful statement! So often we have a choice to speak up about Christ; to give the Gospel; to pray with someone who is hurting, but we fear man and what they will think or say.

This we must fight against! We must have courage.

I think about all those who are being persecuted around the world. This persecution will hit America sooner than we think. Are we ready, fellow Christian, to speak boldly for His name? We must be bold! We must not love the approval of men over the approval of God! 

Our focus must not be on the temporal of here and now, but on the eternal. There is life after this life. What people say and do in this life is nothing compared to eternity. 

Confess Him today!