“If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.” — Mark 8:38
In our last study, Obedience is God’s Love Language, we learned that true love for Jesus is expressed through obedience: a heart that listens, trusts, and follows Him fully. But obedience doesn’t stay hidden; it naturally leads to public witness. When we truly love Christ, we can’t help but stand with Him, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. In this study, we’ll explore what it means to not be ashamed of Jesus – to live courageously and openly as His disciples in a world that often misunderstands or rejects Him.
These words of Jesus are hard words, a warning to those who claim to follow Him yet are too ashamed to identify with Him publicly. Spoken after He had foretold His suffering and called His followers to take up their cross, this statement reveals the seriousness of our allegiance to Christ. To follow Jesus is not only to believe in Him privately but to confess Him publicly, even when it costs.
The cross is not a symbol of comfort and ease; it is a declaration of our total commitment to Christ. Jesus warns that our relationship with Him cannot thrive in secrecy. To be His disciple is to stand with Him, unashamed, in a world that often rejects Him.
Identifying ourselves with Christ is part of being a member of the family of God. The apostle John wrote, “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Being ashamed of Christ is essentially rejecting our new family, bringing dishonor not only to ourselves but to Jesus Christ Himself.
The Challenge of a Fearless Faith
Jesus’ warning about being ashamed of Him comes in the context of His call to self-denial. Christ had just said that anyone who wants to follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Mark 8:34). Immediately after that, He pressed the point further: discipleship involves not only internal surrender but public allegiance.
In the early church, following Jesus could mean losing one’s family, social standing, or even your life. Today the pressures may look different, but the temptation is the same – to shrink back when identifying with Jesus becomes uncomfortable. Many people in the world may celebrate aspects of spirituality, kindness, and even morality, but when those values are associated with following Jesus, they scoff and reject such a notion.
The Greek word translated ashamed (epaischunomai) means to feel personal disgrace or fear of association. It reflects the desire to avoid embarrassment or rejection. But Jesus calls His followers to the opposite: we are to stand boldly in identification with Him. The gospel cannot be carried forward by silent disciples.
Paul echoed this conviction in Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The early believers endured ridicule, imprisonment, and persecution because they valued the approval of God more than the acceptance of men.
Living Boldly, Yet Peacefully
However, being unashamed of Jesus doesn’t mean practicing a loud or confrontational faith. Discipleship is not about being insistent or argumentative; it is about living faithfully and visibly in love. In many places around the world, open evangelism can cost believers their jobs, families, or even their lives. Yet even there, the quiet power of a Christlike life speaks volumes.
Paul captured this balance when he urged the Thessalonians: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” (1 Thes 4:11–12) He also wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Rom 12:18)
We are not called to win arguments or force conversions. We are called to live as witnesses, authentic examples of what it means to be children of God. When our words and actions align with Christ’s character, our lives become a testimony that draws others to Him.
Why we are Tempted to Be Ashamed
The struggle to boldly identify with Christ is as old as discipleship itself. Peter, who once pledged unwavering loyalty, denied Jesus three times out of fear. The issue was not a lack of love but a lack of courage. Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, or suffering can silence even sincere followers.
In our modern world, shame takes subtler forms. It may appear as avoiding spiritual conversations to “keep the peace,” hesitating to stand for truth in moral debates, or minimizing our faith to fit into secular environments. In such cases, our fear of rejection or ridicule outweighs or love for Christ. Paul addresses this in his letter to the Romans: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16).
The antidote to shame is to focus on our love for Jesus. When our love for Christ overshadows our fear of rejection our courage rises. As John reminds us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18). When we fully understand His grace and are convinced of His worth, we can stand unashamed – even in a hostile world.
Boldness in a Culture of Compromise
To be unashamed of Jesus today requires us to stand firm in truth, show compassion as we represent Him with humility, and to speak His Word clearly and without hesitation. Boldness does not mean arrogance or insensitivity; it means honesty and kindness. We speak truth with grace because we are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor 5:20).
Unfortunately, cultural Christianity often favors compromise over conviction. It’s easy to follow Jesus when it costs nothing. But the mark of a true disciple is faithfulness, even when it is hard. When society labels those who hold biblical values as intolerant or when faith is mocked as foolishness, the disciple must remember to whom they belong.
The call to be unashamed is not about being loud; it’s about being faithful. It’s not about winning arguments; it’s about living faithfully. Every act of quiet obedience whether standing for truth, loving an enemy, or confessing faith in Christ declares our allegiance to the King.
Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by men. If we follow Him, we can expect that we will be treated in the same manner. However, His presence, His peace, and His ultimate reward should spur us on to “stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15:58). And when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He will honor those who have honored Him. The approval of heaven will far outweigh the rejection of earth.
What this Means for a Disciple Today
For disciples, Jesus’ words confront one of the greatest tensions of our time: the desire to fit in versus the call to stand out. The world tells us to only express our faith in our private lives, to keep religion personal and silent. But Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light – visible, distinct, and transformative (Mt 5:13–16).
To be unashamed of Christ means not being embarrassed to openly identify with Him in every area of life. It means we refuse to compromise truth for popularity. It means we love courageously, forgive freely, and live righteously in a culture that prizes self above all else.
This doesn’t mean practicing “in-your-face” Christianity. Christians were never meant to be pushy or obnoxious. For those outside the church, Jesus did not call us to be the “sin police.” In the world. Our job is to be witnesses and lights, demonstrating to the world that there is a better way – a way where forgiveness, grace, and mercy are available to all who ask. Every day presents a choice: to hide our faith or to live it openly. Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11). May we live so that He will not be ashamed to call us His disciples when He comes in glory.
To live unashamed of Jesus is to stand boldly for Him in a watching world. But courage is not the only mark of a disciple. In the next study, Generosity, Storing Treasures in Heaven, we will see how disciples express their devotion not just with their words, but with open hands and generous hearts. True allegiance to Christ changes what we treasure and how we use it.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Jesus warns that being ashamed of Him has eternal consequences (Mark 8:38).
What does it mean to you personally to “stand with Jesus” in today’s world, and where do you feel the greatest pressure to stay silent about your faith?
Peter’s denial shows that even devoted followers can falter under fear.
What situations or emotions most often tempt you to hide your faith, and how might you prepare your heart to respond differently next time?
The post mentions that “the antidote to shame is love.”
How does growing in love for Christ strengthen your courage to live openly as His disciple?
Paul declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” (Romans 1:16)
In what practical ways can you express this same confidence in your everyday activities?
Cultural Christianity often favors comfort over conviction.
What are some subtle ways believers may compromise their witness today, and how can we guard against those tendencies?
“It’s not about being loud; it’s about being loyal.”
What does faithful, humble boldness look like in your life. How can you represent Christ truthfully yet graciously?
Jesus promises to honor those who honor Him.
How does keeping an eternal perspective help you overcome fear of rejection or ridicule when identifying publicly with Jesus?
My name is Michael Adkins. For several decades I’ve been studying Scripture, developing discipleship resources, and teaching others how to walk more closely with Christ. Currently, I serve as the Discipleship Pathway Leader at Riverside International Church in Cascais, Portugal, where my passion is helping believers grow into mature disciples who live out their faith in everyday life.