UNASHAMED

1 Peter 1:13–16 NKJV

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

I. Prepared for action

Luke 12:35 NKJV

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

These verses are reminiscent of the Israelites at passover. They were to eat with their loose outer garments synched tight with a belt, and ready for travel.

Having the loins girded was an act of faith and obedience.

A. Knowing Truth

B. Attentive Watching

II. Perceptive mind

1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 NKJV

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

This soberness means that we have a righteous perspective. Not distracted by earthly circumstances, but rather, controlled by the Spirit who dwells within.

A. Self-controlled

B. Well balanced

III. Protecting your faith

A. Trust in Jesus

Trust in His grace.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

B. Trust in His return

Again, we are reminded about the second coming of Jesus.

For the believer, this is our hope and purpose. However, it is also an incentive for us to live holy.

Because we recognize that He will come again, we must prepare for His return.

IV. Pure before God

Holiness means to be dedicated to God

A. Separated to God

1 Thessalonians 5:22 NKJV

Abstain from every form of evil.

B. Dedicated to God

2 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV

Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

The source is shaky, but the story is told of an African man who lived maybe a century ago. He was coerced either by his tribe or some outside group to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ. Rather than giving in, he wrote what is now called the creed of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. This is a kind of creed for those of us who have found our spiritual feet and have chosen to walk in the Spirit.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Author unknown

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I am a disciple of

Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,

back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present

makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,

small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,

chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,

promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by

presence, lean by faith, love by patience,

lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace

is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my

road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,

my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,

compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,

diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the

presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,

ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander

in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until

Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,

and work until He comes. And when He comes to get

His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear.