Are You Ashamed of Jesus Christ?

Religious freedom and religious persecution are hot topics right now in the United States, and for good reason.

All of this talk about persecution got me thinking. How would I respond to persecution for my faith? How would you respond?

I put together a quiz to help you evaluate just how much you value your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Are you unashamed or ashamed to bear the name of Jesus? Find out.

Directions

Answer each question below as honestly as you can, according to the following scale. Then add up your score at the end. Perfect score: 60 points

5 = Definitely
4 = I believe so.
3 = It could go either way.
2 = I don’t think so.
1 = No way.

Religious Persecution Quiz

1. Would you be willing to die for your faith?
2. Would you willingly go to prison for your faith?
3. Would you stay faithful to Jesus Christ even if it would endanger your children?
4. Would you stand strong in your faith even if meant your family would starve?
5. Would you take a severe beating rather than deny Jesus Christ?
6. Would you refuse to deny Jesus Christ even if denying Him was the only way to keep your job?
7. Would you expose yourself to public ridicule for the name of Jesus?
8. Would you risk rejection by sharing the gospel with a friend who needs to know Jesus?
9. Would you openly pray before a meal in a restaurant?
10. If someone who mocks Christianity invites you to go somewhere during your church time, would you tell him you’re going to church instead of going with him?
Bonus (10 pts.): Could you clearly explain why you believe in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15)?

Results

50-60 points: Not Ashamed

40-50 points: Slightly Ashamed

30-40 points: Ashamed

20-30 points: More Ashamed

10-20 points: Mostly Ashamed

0-10 points: Really Ashamed – check your salvation (2 Cor. 13:5)

How did you do?

None of us knows for sure how we’d act in hypothetical situations. If we determine ahead of time what our decision will be, we’ll have an easier time sticking to our commitment.

I know it’s easy to romanticize and think we’d willingly die for our faith. Think of Peter’s example. He claimed he would die for Jesus and then denied Him three times.

We might say, “I would never deny Jesus Christ!” But how often do we deny Him in small ways?

One thing is certain. If we aren’t willing to stand up for the name of Jesus and the truth of the gospel now while we’re free, then we are unlikely to remain faithful under persecution.

It’s something to think about – and act on – while we still have the freedom to do so.

Will You Stand?

If the time comes that we have to stand for our faith under persecution, God will give us the strength to do it. But we will have to do the standing. It will be our choice to affirm or deny Him.

I just know I don’t want Jesus to deny me before His Father in heaven, so with God’s help I won’t deny Him here on earth (Matthew 10:33).

What about you?

© Jeanne Gowen Dennis