The fellowship of the Unashamed

"And the king of Israel (AhaB) said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me...the same is Micaiah...And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so...And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their's, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak" (2 Chron. 18:7,12-13).

What a contrast between Ahab and Micaiah. Ahab was so filled with himself that he hated hearing any counsel or advice that did not line up with what he desired. Micaiah, on the other hand was so faithful to God's word and will that he was willing to share it even if it cost him. In fact it did cost Him. After Micaiah prophsied to Ahab that He would die in battle, Ahab said, "Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; 26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace" (2 Chron. 18:25-26). But Micaiah did not flinch in the face of sacrifice. Micaiah's testimony reminds me of the following words written by an unknown author. It's titled "The Fellowship of the Unashamed."

"I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit
Power. 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, tame visions,
mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn 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 is reliable, my mission is 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 won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He 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 for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)

The church today has too many Ahab's and not enough Micaiah's--too many who are selling out rather then being sold out for the cause of Jesus Christ. Thank God for those who will tell us the truth even if they know we would hate them for it. Let's take time to pray for those faithful men and women who stand for the truth even in the face of great sacrifice. And may we be able to say, "I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed."