But...what will they think?

There comes a time when we have the perfect time to acknowledge our faith in Jesus, only to become timid and almost 'embarrassed' to do so simply because our 'social group' would think us 'odd' or reject us because of our 'stand'? There are times we think more about our 'social standing' within the group than we do our opportunity to be light and life in a very, very dark world. The leaders believed, yet their 'fear' of the impact on their 'social standing' as 'leaders' actually caused them to keep silent about Jesus. It is a sad day when we care more about what others think about us than we do about drawing closer to Jesus, allowing him to use us in whatever 'social grouping' we have been placed.

Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.” (John 12:42-47)

To think more about human praise or status than the praise of God is to walk a very slippery slope. We might think our 'status' in Christ will make others uncomfortable, but sometimes we worry more that is a 'bit threatening' to our own social status in the group! Yes, Jesus made people uncomfortable - but that was because they were more concerned with the way they were seen by the masses than they were in drawing closer to him. They didn't want to be identified as sinners in need of a Savior. They didn't want to be 'shy' with their faith, they just didn't really know how to be 'bold' in their beliefs.

The good news is that when Christ died, was raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to reside within his followers. There is no need to be timid or shy with our faith any longer - for the Spirit of God will not only show us how to live 'above' the crowd's opinion of us but will give us the boldness to actually live consistently without fear of human opinion. There is no 'position' on this earth, or social standing that is better than standing 'in Christ'. So how is it we get all caught up in human opinion of us? I think a little thing called pride gets us all messed up in this matter.

We 'like' being accepted and we 'appreciate' being noticed in a positive manner. Whenever the attention turns from us being liked or appreciated to a place of being a threat or someone others take issue with because of our beliefs, we almost want to hide. The line between being 'bold for Christ' and 'not being a light' in this earth is a very fine line. It is quite easy to cross over it when the opinion of the social group we 'admire' becomes the focus instead of keeping Jesus first in our lives. The more influence we give human opinion in our lives, the less bold we become for Christ. 

Salt isn't savory when it is diluted to the point of only giving a 'hint' of that salty taste. Dilute your 'faith' or 'beliefs' too much and you lose your 'savor' in this world. When we are willing to be salt and light, we are making a determination to live above human opinion because the only 'opinion' that matters to us is that of our Lord! Just sayin!