Mark 8:38 “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

In context, this is a really severe passage for the “hidden Christians” of Japan. During the persecutions of the Tokugawa period there were many who accepted martyrdom and many more who fled to remote areas in order to maintain their faith, but there were still more who, while believing in Jesus, still stepped on the icons that were used as a test by the government, publicly proclaiming they weren’t Christian. I’m not entirely sure Jesus is saying here that they lost their salvation itself, but they certainly lost more than they gained by their actions. It would not do to be simplistic about this; many denied they were Christian in order to protect their families, who would also have been punished severely by the government. However, the principle is still the same: faithfulness to Christ must come first. This is actually a contemporary problem as well. I have lost count of the people who have stopped coming to church because “If I become a Christian I will be cut off from my family and friends.” They are drawn by the Gospel, but their current associations are a higher priority to them. This passage is certainly not good news for such people! Perhaps the greatest reason Jesus is “a stone that causes men to stumble” (Romans 9:33) is that He insists on being first, the only Lord. Many people want to add Him to their lives without making Him Lord, and that simply doesn’t work. Salvation in Christ is indeed an all or nothing proposition.

I deal with this all the time, and only some of that is with people who are honest enough to admit it. Japanese are hardly alone when it comes to misplaced priorities! I’ve got to keep watch over my own priorities and gently help the believers see where theirs don’t line up as well. People can get really defensive in this area! I must never come across as thinking I’ve got it all together, but I also must not let people think there is nothing wrong with misplaced priorities. We must all “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” (Matthew 6:33) or we will miss out on more than we can imagine.

Father, thank You for the training You give me frequently in this area. I fail the tests too often! I don’t think I’m ashamed of Christ in any way, but my focus and priorities are inconsistent. Thank You for not giving up on me. Help me indeed live Christ, (Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20) so that all who see me may be drawn to Him, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!