“I Believe, But” (42)

Isn’t gathering in church such a wonderful time? Worship is incredible, sermons reveal and cut to the heart, fellowship is comforting and rewarding; life in the body of Christ offers a family like no other, a present God by His Holy Spirit, and an earthly-heavenly transcendental identity difficult to replicate. Imagine now that believing in Christ could get you rejected and shunned from this body.

For obvious reasons, we indeed don’t have that issue the way that other new believers did in the New Testament. We don’t belong to a synagogue that rejects Jesus as Messiah. We don’t have powerful religious elite who can reject and place burdens on us as a result of our faith. However, we are still human and, therefore, still have fears and fears of rejection. Then why is it at times we fear to disclose Christ when we know it’s the only answer?

Recently I’ve been pondering the reasons why Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus had just been arrested and taken from them and while Peter was trying to follow and catch glances of Jesus’ trial, he was asked to confirm being a follower of Jesus. The first two times he denied them but the third, after being pointed out that he must be a disciple, he swore his denial to his rightful accuser. Remember, just prior to the arrest of Jesus, he made a proclamation to never deny Christ. Why is it, just hours later, that he so willingly does now?

I’m thinking of myself back at Church now, but this time having just experienced a powerful, truthful, life-changing message and feeling compelled to share His light in an even brighter way, how quick does my initial decision to shine the light turn to supressing the light as I hit the parking lot? It is then that I realize there are human fears that have control over my life and I must surrender its power back to Christ.

Lord help me surrender only to you.

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

~John 12:42,43

42 days!