“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
Twenty one years ago I found Jesus. Despite being raised Catholic my whole life, I had never known God nor pursued any relationship with Him. Then, I met a beautiful, faith-filled, Catholic woman and fell in love, both with her and through her with Jesus. Another thing to be thankful for in this was that I quit smoking for her. Whenever giving up an addictive habit, one has to find a way to break through those times of temptation. So, anytime I would normally smoke, I would read the Bible instead. A break, lunch, waiting for the bus – all times to read His Holy Word.
One of the first verses I found that hit me hard were Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:32-33. I prayed and meditated over these words quite a bit. Thought, “I was living in this manner before, but not now.” But, then I thought, “how can I speak for You at work, and not get fired?” I feared not denying Jesus by my the words I spoke but, by those I didn’t say.
I held this within my heart as a worried prayer for quite some time. Then, I began to realize that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can not be contained. I needed to act as a Catholic Christian at all times and speak about God’s love and mercy without fear. How to do that without losing my job? I learned that one can speak about Jesus, even to people who are opposed to His teachings, is easy by just controlling one’s words and not accepting condemning actions and words of others. I would speak out against people who used the Lord’s Name in vane by simply asking them not to do so or stopping to pray. I even got bold at times and responded, “bless His Holy Name.”
We need to be bold enough in our faith that we speak of Jesus to all people in word and action. Their only chance to meet Jesus may be through you.
Are you afraid to speak out for Jesus to our family, friends, in our workplace?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith” Romans 1:16