playing safe

I just realized, after our mid-week service, that I'm a play safe Christian. I know the Truth...I understand the Truth...but somehow I won't proclaim the Truth! When my conversation with a stranger takes a sudden turn towards my faith and belief...my mind goes "hmmmmm.......*OFF*" There's a fear within me of being rejected..."what if?" questions will suddenly flood my mentality...then, I walk off the conversation without even presenting or hinting that I am a follower of Jesus. * sad *

The operative word in the great commission (Matthew 28:16-20) is GO...it indicates an active participation of the believer to move where God wants them to be. Sometimes the fear of GOING indicates a lack of confidence...not in our abilities...but confidence in Jesus! Acts 1:8 also states that "...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." Meaning...the whole "GO" scenario is mainly dependent on our willingness to let the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in us!

The moment we have trusted in Jesus Christ as our Savior, and believed in what John 3:16 has stated...we are automatically new creatures with a different set of standards. The change may not be noticeable, but from within we are guaranteed to be IN CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:17). In order for us to stand out as Christians, we have to let the Holy Spirit work on us and willingly stop conforming to this world (Romans 12:1 & 2). This world and our flesh does not provide genuine confidence...even the Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 3:1-7 that everything he gained (education, popularity, status, wealth, etc.) cannot compare to what Jesus has provided.

Now...going back to my original point. Once we gain consistency in rejecting the world and gaining absolute truth...once we have prioritize God's Word and make it a point to always assimilate and diligently study the Word of God...then our testimony will be like a city on a hill that can never be hidden (Matthew 5:14-16). Awkwardness about our faith and beliefs during casual conversations won't be an issue anymore...because now, we're through playing safe!