It is a known fact that many who call themselves "believers" will deny Christ and become part of the "carnal" lifestyle. They will disown any attachment that they have to Him. They will be too proud to acknowledge their dependence upon Him for everything. They will be ashamed of His person, character, doctrine, requirements, and holy standards. They will set a greater value on earthly things over spiritual things. Or they will prefer worldly interests to the interests of the kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul said of them in Philippians:

Philippians 3:18-19 "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things."

     The Apostle Paul called them "enemies of the cross of Christ". He described them as being:

• gluttons and drunkards who yield to sensual appetites. Those who cater to the lust of the flesh - "whose God is their belly".
• those who boast in or joke about Sin - "whose glory is in their shame"
• those who continuously relish or are obsessed with worldly or earthly things - "who mind earthly things"
• those who live immoral lives, indulging in out-and-out sin.

    What will cause them to perform such an inconceivable act as denying the Lord Who redeemed them by His Most Precious Blood? The answer lies in two portions of the above words of our Lord - "before men" and "ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation."

     Many are afraid to stand up for Jesus. They are bound by a "fear of man." They do not want to suffer loss, be rejected, hated, ridiculed, scorned, called names, laughed at, lied on, or be cast out of another's company because of Him.

     They see man everyday face-to-face; they work shoulder to shoulder with him in the workplace; they do not see the Lord per se. So they try to please the one whom they see in the natural realm - "man."

     They are "before men" and do not desire to be despised or frowned upon "before men." On the job, they are "before men" who give them their paycheck at the end of the week. Consequently, they are determined to do their best "before men."

     What they failed to realize is that what they do "before men" will be held in account some day "before God."

     Deny Jesus Christ "before men," and Jesus Christ will deny you "before My Father which is in heaven."

     Besides an inordinate and unappeasable desire to please and impress men, or cater to his wishes, what else would cause a so-called believer to outrightly refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ before others?

     The Lord informed us that there would be those who would be "ashamed" of Him and His Words. What would cause this turning away in their hearts from Him and His teachings?

Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of Him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

     The answer lies in the setting in which they live - "this adulterous and sinful generation." It would be an age given to great wickedness, especially the sensual sins of the flesh. Perversion would be on every side. Fornication, adultery, as well as homosexuality would be considered by all as normal practices. Divorce would be rampant. Pornography, lewdness, and licentious behavior and dress would be acceptable.

     Who would deny that we are now living in "this adulterous and sinful generation"? Who would deny the fact that the demons of Lust are running rampant throughout our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and even our churches?

     And what are some "believers" doing about it? Rather than suffer reproach and contempt for being different from "this adulterous and sinful generation," they are blending in. They don't want to be too extreme. They don't want to be termed a fanatic for Christ. They don't want anyone to think that they are weird or eccentric. After all, it might cost them something to be labeled as one of those "Jesus Freaks." So they just go along with the filthy jokes, the vulgarity, and laugh along at the sexual innuendos.

     Somehow Satan himself has deceived them. They have contracted spiritual amnesia. They have forgotten that every thought, word, and deed is being recorded by God the father Himself. And some day soon, they will stand in judgment. Not "before men" in "this adulterous and sinful generation." " No! " This time it will be before the Lord Himself in the presence of His Father and the Holy Angels.

     Perhaps the scene will develop like this. Jesus will open up the Bible and turn to Matthew and read His own words:

Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

     He will then turn to Mark and again read His own words:

Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of Him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

     Lastly, He will turn to II Timothy and read what Paul said:

II Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us."

     Then we can imagine that He will close the Book and turn to the Father and the Holy Angels and say - "I don't know this one who lived 'before men' and denied Me in the 'adulterous and sinful generation' in which I placed him(her)."

     At this point, He will turn to the one who denied Him "before men" in "this adulterous and sinful generation" and say the most heart-rending words:

Matthew 7:23 "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

     Forever, this "compromiser" will be tormented in the literal flames of Hell because he chose to live "before men" in "this adulterous and sinful generation" and not live "before God" - no matter what the cost!

     "Where are you today, O Christian? Have you denied Jesus Christ? Have you lived "before men" in "this adulterous and sinful generation"? If so, repent, and call on Jesus Christ for His cleansing Blood and restoring grace."

     The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy with these words:

II Timothy 1:8 "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God."

     In other words, Paul told Timothy to expect afflictions for the Gospel's sake. They will surely come. But when they do occur, don't be ashamed of Christ because of them. Don't shrink back in fear of what men will do to you. By the "power of God," stand up for Jesus Christ.

     The key phrase in this verse is - "according to the power of God." We are to be a "partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God."

     None can stand for Jesus in their own strength. No one can stand against the floods of filth and perversion in their own power. God has given provision. We can all be a "partaker of the afflictions of the gospel" "before men" in "this adulterous and sinful generation" "according to the power of God."

• "According to the power of God" we can boldly stand up for Jesus amidst the ridicule and the scorn.

• "According to the power of God" we can outrightly speak out against all Sin.

• "According to the power of God" we can live holiily and blamelessly, having a "conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men." (Acts 24:16)

• "According to the power of God" we can manifest a lifestyle that is pure, decent, honest, and dependable.

• "According to the power of God" we can make a difference in the very world in which we live - be "lights" shining in the darkest of places.

• "According to the power of God" we can demonstrate to others that there is a way out of sin and perversion.

     We don't ever have to be "ashamed" of Jesus and His words in "this adulterous and sinful generation." We don't ever have to "deny" Jesus "before men." "According to the power of God," we never need to be labeled as the "enemies of the cross of Christ" who live for this world and its pleasures. "According to the power of God," we can be assured that we will never be denied by the Lord Jesus on Judgment Day. We will never hear Him say to us - "I never knew you."

     "Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel - before men in this adulterous and sinful generation - according to the power of God."

---

Basic Training Systematic Theology Statement of Faith Our Mission Link To Us Heaven?

---

Send E-mail to Russ:
webslave for Christ
( russ@jesuswept.com )
with questions or comments about this web site and it's content.
Last modified: 12/04/2002