Unashamed: LIVE IT

We are called to live with confidence in the face of opposition but most of us are living in fear and shame, apologizing for our beliefs. But the gospel gives us the ability to live with boldness in a world that opposes everything about God. Today, I want to look at the third of four responses to the gospel, which give us confident hope and assurance in Christ.

3. LIVE IT

Does the gospel impact how you live your life throughout the week? It isn’t just for Sunday mornings and is more than beliefs and words. It must be lived out. The grace and mercy God has shown us through salvation should ignite in us a desire to live daily for Him. Living out the gospel isn’t a one-time deal; it’s a lifetime of growth and service. My pastor has told the story about if we truly have someone as big a God living in us, wouldn’t He be seeping out of us constantly? Being unashamed of the Gospel takes more than just knowing it and embracing it, we must be ready to live it out day to day.

Romans 12:1-2 KJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We are to be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, and to live a transformed life, which allows us to be able to discern God’s will. Note the subtle difference between transforming and conforming in VERSE 2.

Transform: to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character.
Conform: to behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards. Give in to social norms.

Conforming is just giving in, following the crowd. Is that not what we do in our daily walk, try to match our steps with other people in our lives? Why, because we want to be accepted. I’ve been told I talk differently around some co-workers because I know their style, so I conform to their standards and habits to fit it. This isn’t all bad until you begin to let your faith and beliefs waiver and conform.

Conforming can be as simple as no longer speaking up for what you believe among friends and co-workers. No longer sharing your belief because it’s not the popular thing to do. We as a nation of believers have conformed to be “politically correct” to the point we have legal abortions, legal same sex marriages, and transgender bathrooms in schools.

Paul states in Romans to be TRANSFORMED by renewing your mind, getting refocused on the main thing, Christ. In that we are only truly transformed if there is a thorough (maybe even dramatic) change in our mind, actions, and hearts.

Once we’ve experienced that transformation this final part should flow naturally. Again, we will discuss this fourth response: SHARE IT, next week.

Bro. Austin Chapman is the Youth Minister

at Sugar Creek Baptist in Murray, KY and founder

of Inflamed Church Ministries.