There are very few actual risk takers in this world, those that have become proficient in them understand the body must be extensively trained as well as the mind.
The word ‘risk’ infers the possibility of limb or life lost, and the people who cannot comprehend why any would risk what they consider the precious gift of life, who also consider themselves to be born-again, will rarely take any risks for the glory of God.
“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” (Romans 5:7)
One must contemplate of these, is it a lack of faith in the promises of eternal life, a fear of possible persecutions for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, or a lack of obedience because their love for Him is not real?
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6)
What causes a person to fulfill John 12:43 in their life?
“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
The person who claims to love Him, yet will not speak of Him in public, why do they consider simple words of faith ones of too much risk? The risks, the persecutions that may arrive in their lives for those I speak of is not imprisonment, torture and death, but of embarrassment, they have a form of godliness only within the security of those who profess the same, but outside of that small group, outside of the confines of that church, out in the public where the lost and wicked are the majority, the risk of personal repercussions is too great for them.
The praise of men will never be found by the one who praises the Living God.
I see no other name to place upon those this short letter references than fearful, fearful of the risk of being ostracized from the world, and therefore this verse is a reality in their lives.
“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)
Faith over fear is a learned trait, it is the exercising of our faith in situations that make us uncomfortable, and one must contemplate this question deeply, if a person claims to be saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ never speaks to others outside of the congregation of those they consider fellow believers, are they truly saved or hypocrites?
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” (Romans 1:8)
Spoken. Not hid in a deceiving heart, not feigned on Sunday morning, not a supposed light that is hid from all we meet.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1st John 4:18)
Love grows as our faith comprehends the assurances of the promises, and the risks are not only lessened, reduced as our faith is exercised, but seen as foolish to even comprehend. The truth of Philippians 1:21 becomes a reality in our lives.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
The fear of speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ in public is embarrassment for His name, the Scriptures are clear on this, and the person who professes faith in His name who allows fear to rule them in this regard must question the validity of their professed salvation.
Only faith led by the Holy Spirit can lead a man into the fire who cares not if he gets burned or not, only those who have honestly been born-again are willing to take the risk of losing family, friends, all this world has to offer for the glory of God. All others profess a faith that is not real, but only imagined in their heart.
Faith over fear. Recognizing this fear is the first step, fervent prayer is next, action, words must then be spoken.
Only those who have been born-again will understand this letter, all others will continue to offer excuses to themselves for their embarrassment.
