Disgrace For The Name

If you have the choice of being disgraced or not, you’d probably choose not. But what if you are disgraced because of your belief in Christ? Disgrace is not such a bad thing if it is for the right reason. In Acts, after the apostles defended the spreading of the gospel, ultimately following what God wanted them to do over what the Pharisees wanted them to do, chapter 5, verse 41 says this:

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

And that name, of course, is Jesus. One of my favorite portions of scripture supports this notion. It’s found in Matthew chapter 5 verses 11 and 12 which says:

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The apostles knew that they would be counted blessed when suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus, because he had revealed this to them earlier. I think we need to remember that as well. It is human nature to want to keep ourselves from persecution. Though when it is for Christ’s sake, it can be a good thing. When we are treated badly because of our belief in him we should rejoice, because great is our reward in heaven.

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The apostles rejoiced for being counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. We hear all of the time about the consequences for doing something wrong. But sometimes there are consequences for doing what is right. The difference is that when you do something wrong, you most likely deserve your punishment. And when you do something right, especially if ends in disgrace for the name of Jesus, you are rewarded.

In Jesus' Name

Have you ever wondered why some people end their prayers with, “in Jesus’ name I pray”? If you read John chapter 16, verses 23 and 24, you’ll learn that this practice is biblically based. In it, Jesus says: 

“I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Jesus tells us that God will give us whatever we ask in his name. He continues by saying, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive.” Some people who pray in Jesus’ name may be doing so because that is the way they have been taught to pray, but those of us who are familiar with these verses realize that there is scriptural support for praying this way. Does this mean that if we don’t pray in Jesus’ name that our prayers won’t be answered? I doubt it. But I’d be the wrong person to ask because I always end my prayers “in Jesus’ name”, almost like a stamp you’d put on a letter. The postage ensures that your letter will get to its destination. And whether right or wrong, I plan to continue to seal my prayers by praying “in Jesus’ name”.

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Jesus, himself, supports the idea that when we pray, we should pray in his name. He mentioned this when he was telling his disciples that he would no longer be with them. If he told his disciples to pray in his name, don’t you think it might be a good practice that we should follow as well? If you’ve been praying this way, then great. But if you haven’t, I challenge you to begin praying in Jesus’ name. It is just another form of obedience spoken to us, by Jesus himself.

Falling Pride

You may have heard the phrase, “pride comes before the fall”. If you have, you may be surprised to know that it is actually a biblical proverb from the book of Proverbs. In chapter 16, verses 18 and 19 it says: 

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”

Have you ever wondered why this is true? Why pride can bring someone down? I think it is because we, as believers, should know that every good thing in our lives comes from the Father. And no one can share glory with the Father. If you read the Bible, you’ll realize that several people, even kings, when they tried to take credit for something God did died, or was severely punished, because of it. When we are prideful, we are taking credit for something that we have no right to claim. We puff ourselves up believing that it was our effort and ingenuity that brought about something good in our lives when in fact, God is the one to be praised because of it. Just as quickly as God can bring something wonderful in our lives, he can also take it away. And there is no greater humbling than to fall from a place of pride.

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We shouldn’t minimize the danger of pride. It is an unassuming sin because it doesn’t seem to affect anyone else or stand out among the more grievous sounding sins. But God hates a prideful heart, and he will share his glory with no one. So I encourage you to remember that when something good happens in your life, either as a result of something you’ve done directly or indirectly, give God the praise. He is the author of our destiny and the bringer of all that is good. To believe that the blessings given to us occur because of our own efforts is arrogant, prideful, and contrary to what the Bible teaches us. By recognizing God when things go well, we keep our pride in check, and we give glory to where glory is due.

Prayers Heard

You may have heard stories told of unbelievers calling out to God in their darkest hour and God responding in a mighty way. I’ve seen this play out in Hollywood movies and have read stories like this in fictional books. I’m not discounting that this can and likely does happen, but the Bible reminds us that it is the prayers of the righteous man that availeth much. Likewise, in Proverbs 15:29 it says: 

“The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayers of the righteous.”

The Bible supports the notion that it is the righteous person who really has the ear of God. Proverbs differentiates between the prayers of a righteous man and the prayers of a wicked man. It says that the Lord is far from the wicked but hears the prayers of the righteous. So, when you watch a program where an unbeliever prays a haphazard bargaining prayer for God to get them out of a jam, remember this portion of scripture. As it seems more likely that God will send his angels to flight on behalf of a man who is righteous above one who is not.

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“The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayers of the righteous”. The Bible clearly teaches us that no one is truly righteous. It says that there isn’t even one person among us who can claim to be when examined in light of God’s perfect standards. But I believe this proverb is referring to our heart, motives and our standing, or relationship, with God. No one can reach his standard, but the closer and closer we get, the less resistance there is between our prayers and God’s response. So I encourage you, if you want God to hear your prayers, be righteous – or right before God.

Be Saved

How often do you reflect on when God saved you? I’m not necessarily talking about the time, day and circumstances of how it happened. Many of us can’t remember these details anyway. No, I’m talking about where you were spiritually, and where you are now because of the Holy Spirit. Titus reminds us in chapter 3 verses 3 through 7 which says:

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”

Consider those words. We once were “foolish, disobedient and deceived”. Now apply that to those who currently do not believe, and always remember that we were once that way too. I believe that if we can force ourselves to remember where we were, we will be better equipped to help those who are still in that place. Titus reminds us that God saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Keeping that in mind will help us to remain humble, because the only thing that separates us from every unbeliever is God’s mercy. I love that portion of scripture because it lays things out so plainly while humbling any of us who think we are more deserving than others because of our so-called righteousness. What we can offer God makes no difference. It all comes down to what God offered us.

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I think we, as believers, should always remember what Titus says about us. We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures; much like those we may know who do not believe in Christ. If not for God’s mercy, we still would be in that state. Titus says that God saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. It is this rebirth where the term “born-again” was coined. So, when you consider your unbelieving friends, do not believe for a second that you are somehow better than they are. Titus reminds us that it has nothing to do with what we did. It has everything to do with what God did. Being saved does not make us better, as far as being a more deserving people. It just makes us blessed, because the truth has been revealed to us, and we have accepted it.