Would You Be Embarrassed?

By Phillip Stuckey

None of us likes the idea of being embarrassed. Many of us remember our days in school and the memories of awkward occasions where we were humiliated or embarrassed before our peers or family. Who among us likes that feeling? Today, we often take pains to make sure we don’t do something that would embarrass ourselves in all manner of situations be it work, home, or wherever we might find ourselves. While it is good sense to take such care in regard to temporal things, shouldn’t we be just as diligent about spiritual things? Are we making sure we have no reason to be embarrassed spiritually?

Would you be embarrassed if it were known what you were really thinking? The thoughts and intents of our hearts reveal who we really are. Jesus said, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man” (Matthew 15:18). This is where sin emanates from (Proverbs 23:7). Make sure you’re thinking on the right things (Philippians 4:8).

Would you be embarrassed if it were known what you say about others? Words have power and we must be careful what we say (James 1:19). Gossip, backbiting, and such are not to be named among God’s people (1 Peter 2:1). We can do good or evil with our words (James 3:9). Make sure you‘re speaking things that are right and good (Matthew 7:12; Ephesians 4:29).

Would you be embarrassed if it were known what goes on at your home? Sometimes people have a double-life when it comes to their home. They have a persona in public, but it is a completely different picture in private. Parents are to be honored and obeyed by children and the father must set the proper example before his children and family, particularly in regard to spiritual matters (Ephesians 6:1-4). The husband is to love and appreciate his wife, the wife is to love, appreciate, and submit to her husband (Ephesians 5:22-25). Make sure your home is the kind of place God would have it to be.

Would you be embarrassed if it were known what you know of the Bible? There was a time when God said His people were destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) and there was a time when there was a famine for the word of God (Amos 8:11). Do you know the word of God? Do you know the wonderful story of redemption? Do you have hope of salvation and heaven? If so, can you give an answer for the hope that lies within you (1 Peter 3:15)? Some have been in the kingdom a long time, but have little knowledge (1 Corinthians 15:34). Make sure you study diligently so that you may know what the will of the Lord is (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 5:17).

Would you be embarrassed if it were known what percentage you give? Paul told the brethren in Corinth and Galatia to give as they had been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). He even wrote that it should be done cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Are we laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven or treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-20)? Make sure your giving is with heaven in view (Matthew 6:33).

Will you be embarrassed when you must meet Christ? Don’t be deceived, He is surely coming (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10). No one knows the day or the hour and so the Lord said we should always be ready (Matthew 24:42-45). Make sure you’re prepared (Matthew 25:11-13). Let us labor for the Master daily so we are not spiritually embarrassed. &

Social Service

By Bob Myhan

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” When Jesus declared this was the second great command, He was further asked, by a lawyer “wanting to justify himself,” “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

Using the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus showed that this was the wrong question.

Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:30-37)

The proper question was “How can I be a neighbor to another?” And the response is, “By showing mercy.” This is the way the Samaritan loved the man who was beaten, stripped and robbed.

Christians have the responsibility to love not only their neighbors but their enemies, as well.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matt. 5:43-48)

Christians have the responsibility to do good to all men.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal. 6:9-10)

In part, we will be judged by our service to others.

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matt. 25:31-46).

So, in part at least, we serve God by serving others. This is social service. It rounds out a life of full service to God. &