Luke 12:8-12
" 'And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, [9] but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. [10] And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.' "
I know in my life, especially in middle school, I have been afraid of people thinking of me as super religious, and there have been ways in which I have not acknowledged Christ in nearly the way that I should. Not as a Christian in general, of course--I'm not talking about that kind of denial. I'm talking about before our peers--the people we hang out with. These people, especially here in America, generally do not have the power to harm us very much. For most people, the only thing we are risking is having them still hang out with us. When you think about it, that isn't very much risk in light of an eternity with the Father. In the days of the early Church, and the Apostles, Christians were excluded, persecuted, and even killed for their faith, yet they held true to their Savior. And yet how often do we, risking little, not even give him that kind of respect.
" 'And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, [9] but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. [10] And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.' "
I know in my life, especially in middle school, I have been afraid of people thinking of me as super religious, and there have been ways in which I have not acknowledged Christ in nearly the way that I should. Not as a Christian in general, of course--I'm not talking about that kind of denial. I'm talking about before our peers--the people we hang out with. These people, especially here in America, generally do not have the power to harm us very much. For most people, the only thing we are risking is having them still hang out with us. When you think about it, that isn't very much risk in light of an eternity with the Father. In the days of the early Church, and the Apostles, Christians were excluded, persecuted, and even killed for their faith, yet they held true to their Savior. And yet how often do we, risking little, not even give him that kind of respect.
" '[11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.' "
Brothers and sisters, remember these words from God the next time you feel compelled to share your faith, and yet don't know how. Jesus is with you, and he sends as to deliver himself as a witness to others, before the high, respected people of the world. This can mean anyone from your friend to your brother to your father to the President of the United States, and even to the emperor of the world if there ever is one. Do not be anxious, for it is the Holy Spirit who will teach you what you ought to say. Listen to him, and he will tell you what to do.
Be filled with the Spirit, and be encouraged. God bless!
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