FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Fellowship of the Unashamed

The following words were found among the papers of a young pastor in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his faith in Christ. It is best known by the opening words, Fellowship of the Unashamed. No one knows for certain who penned these words, but they are powerful:

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.

The Apostle Paul put it this way in Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

A person who stands boldly for Jesus is unashamed. They know that Jesus Christ is the only way to save themselves, their friends, their family and anyone else in the world from eternal death. Through Jesus we can live boldly and proclaim unashamedly the good news of salvation through Him and Him alone.

This Sunday, I look forward to sharing part two of our series, Fan Into Flame the Gift of God, a message titled The Gift of Boldness based on 1 Timothy 2:6-7. Plan to come and experience the boldness of God’s call.

Standing boldly with you,

Jon