What's the Hardest Thing to Do as a Christian?
Standing Boldly when the World wants You to be Silent!
When we think about the challenges of Christian living, several things might immediately come to mind. Perhaps maintaining a consistent prayer life, studying Scripture regularly, or resisting worldly temptations. While these are certainly difficult aspects of our faith journey, there's one challenge that often goes unacknowledged yet proves to be the most difficult for many believers: simply admitting to others that we are Christians.
This might sound surprising at first. After all, isn't declaring our faith supposed to be fundamental to Christian identity? Yet in our increasingly secular society, verbally acknowledging our faith has become one of the most challenging aspects of Christian living.
In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus makes a profound statement about the importance of acknowledging Him: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33, KJV)
These words from our Saviour establish a clear spiritual principle – our willingness to acknowledge Christ before others directly correlates with how He acknowledges us before the Father. This isn't meant to frighten us but to emphasise the significance of standing firm in our faith identification.
Why Is Acknowledging Our Faith So Difficult?
The hesitation many of us feel when opportunities arise to identify as Christians stems from several legitimate concerns:
First, there's the fear of judgment. In a society that often caricatures Christians as anti-intellectual or judgmental, we worry about being labelled as "that religious person" or being perceived as less intelligent or scientific in our thinking.
Second, we have genuine concerns about how acknowledging our faith might impact our relationships. Will friends distance themselves? Will colleagues view us differently? These questions often create enough doubt to keep us silent.
Third, there are potential professional implications. Some Christians worry that openly identifying with their faith might affect career advancement or workplace relationships in environments where faith is viewed as private or irrelevant.
Finally, many of us feel ill-equipped for what might follow our faith declaration. What if someone asks questions about our beliefs that we can't answer? What if they challenge us with arguments against Christianity that we haven't considered?
The Apostle Paul himself recognised the challenge of bold proclamation when he requested prayer specifically for courage: "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." (Ephesians 6:19, KJV)
If even the great apostle needed support in being bold about his faith, we shouldn't feel inadequate when we find it challenging.
The Cost of Silence
When we remain silent about our faith, we lose more than opportunities to share God's love with others. We also deny ourselves the chance to live authentically. Our Christian identity isn't simply a Sunday morning activity or a private belief system – it's the core of who we are.
As the apostle Peter reminds us: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15, KJV)
This scripture emphasises both our readiness to share and the gentle, respectful way we should do so.
Practical Steps to Overcome the Challenge
Acknowledging our faith doesn't require theological eloquence or apologetic expertise. Here are some practical approaches to becoming more open about your Christian identity:
1. Start with small steps. You don't need to preach impromptu sermons. Simple phrases like "I'll pray for you" or naturally mentioning your church activities in conversation open doors without overwhelming others.
2. Prioritise authenticity over perfection. People respect genuine faith more than perfect answers. It's completely acceptable to say, "I don't know, but I'd like to explore that question together" when faced with challenging inquiries.
3. Let your actions precede your words. As the saying goes, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words." When people witness your Christian character through your actions, they'll be more receptive when you verbally share your faith.
4. Pray specifically for courage. Just as Paul requested prayer for boldness, we should repeatedly ask God for the strength to be forthright about our faith when opportunities arise.
As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, KJV)
The Ripple Effect of Faithful Witness
Each time we acknowledge our faith, we create ripple effects far beyond what we can see. Your openness might encourage fellow believers who have been hesitant to speak up. More importantly, your willingness to identify as a Christian could be the catalyst someone needs to begin their faith journey.
Remember that every acknowledgement of your faith isn't just a stand for Christ – it's potentially a lifeline for someone searching for truth. Your simple identification as a follower of Jesus might be the very thing that helps another person take their first step toward God.
As we navigate a world that increasingly marginalises faith, let's remember the words of Paul: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." (Romans 1:16, KJV)
May we find the courage to acknowledge our faith, not with arrogance or superiority, but with the humble confidence that comes from knowing Whose we are and Whom we serve…
Key Takeaways:
- Acknowledging our faith publicly is one of the hardest challenges for Christians today
- Jesus directly connects our willingness to acknowledge Him before others with how He acknowledges us before the Father (Matthew 10:32-33 KJV)
- Common barriers to sharing our faith include fear of judgment, concern about relationship impacts, professional implications, and feeling ill-equipped for questions
- Practical steps include starting small, prioritising authenticity over perfect answers, letting actions precede words, and praying specifically for courage
- Every acknowledgement of faith creates ripple effects, encouraging other believers and potentially helping someone begin their faith journey