Luke 12: 1-12
Reasons for Loyalty to Christ in a Hostile World

by Gary DeLashmutt

Introduction

Read 12:1. Jesus warns his disciples against the insidious and corrupting influence of hypocrisy. What is hypocrisy?

“Hypocrite” was used in Greek society to describe an actor who gave performances to make money. It means acting like someone who you really aren’t in order to get people’s approval. The opposite of hypocrisy is integrity—acting consistently with your convictions regardless of what people want or think of you.

There are two kinds of hypocrisy in this passage. In the Pharisees’ case, they were hypocrites because they acted like they were committed to God even though they weren’t in order to get people’s approval and esteem. Jesus had just blown up a luncheon by exposing and rebuking them for this (11:42-44). The result was a vicious counter-attack by them (11:53-54) which had drawn the crowd mentioned in 12:1.

This form of hypocrisy is especially prevalent in a society that assents to your religious beliefs (1^st CENT. JUDAISM; MEDIEVAL EUROPE; PURITAN NEW ENGLAND).

Of course, this kind of hypocrisy is still very much with us . . .

But Jesus is warning his disciples of a different kind of hypocrisy—acting like they are not committed to Jesus even though they are in order to keep society’s approval and avoid their hostility. Maybe some of them who nodded their heads as Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees were now changing their response as they felt their hostility.

Certainly, they faced this form of hypocrisy from here on out. They faced it when Jesus was arrested, tried, and executed. They faced it after Jesus ascended and they experienced the hostility of a Jewish society that rejected Jesus as Messiah, and a Roman society that rejected Jesus as the only way to God. All but one of the 12 were executed for their loyalty to Jesus.

And we face this form of hypocrisy today in a society that is increasingly hostile to the claims of Christ. It is becoming increasingly costly to be loyal to Jesus Christ as we move into the next  millennium.

The whole idea of “absolute truth” is offensive in a postmodern, relativistic culture. “Personal spirituality” is in, but “finding the truth” is out.

The idea of commitment to truth or Jesus to the point of personal sacrifice (CAREER; RELATIONSHIPS) is ludicrous in a totally self-absorbed culture.

In the following verses, Jesus arms his disciples (and us) with reasons they (and we) need to remain loyal to him in an increasingly hostile world. He also sprinkles in some words for those listening in (so this morning) . . . 

Because the truth will one day be unmistakably manifested (vs 2-3)

Read 12:2-3. This is not a threat that God will one day show the whole world your secret sins. This is a promise that the truth about Jesus, though now hidden and repressed by a hostile world, will one day be unmistakably manifested.

The same scriptures that accurately predicted Jesus’ first coming and crucifixion also predict his second coming and world-wide rule. The day is coming when everyone will see and acknowledge that Jesus is the Lord.  Read Phil. 2:10-11. It will be too late for those who refused to bow in their lifetimes—they will bow as vanquished foes rather than as grateful friends. But everyone will know the truth about Jesus. On that day, it will seem very strange to have kept quiet about him.

Since this is the case, it only makes sense to be forthright about your commitment to Jesus now—even when you get flak for it.

Because we answer ultimately to God, not to people (vs 4-5)

Read 12:4. How can he say “Do not fear?” There is a good reason to be afraid to stand for Jesus—people can really mess up your life if they want to. 

They can reject you as a friend and ridicule you to others, make your family life miserable, damage your career, etc. 

In many places today, they can imprison you and even execute you.  One source says more Christians have been killed for their faith in the 20^th century than in all previous centuries combined, and maybe more in the last decade than in the previous 8 decades combined. I have suffered very little in comparison.

Jesus doesn’t deny this—but he reminds us that this is not the worst that can happen. Read 12:5. If we were not spiritual creatures, physical death would be the ultimate loss. But since we are spiritual creatures who will ultimately answer to God, death is only the gateway into the eternal destiny that God decrees.

Jesus is not threatening his disciples with hell. He says we already have heaven locked up (see Lk. 12:32). The worst that people can do to us is hasten our entry into heaven, where God will more than make up for whatever loss we have suffered in this life (see Phil. 1:21-23)! If we believe this, this should free us from the crippling fear of people to be faithful to Christ even if this means death.

LUTHER QUOTE (in Sproul’s Holiness of God)

For this reason, 12:5 is probably directed to the crowd rather than to the disciples. Jesus is warning those who may be unwilling to receive him for fear of what people will do to them.  Some issues are just too important to care how other people will react!

Because God will care for us in the midst of opposition (vs 6-7)

Not only will God ultimately care for us in the next life. Read 12:6-7. This does not mean he’ll spare us from opposition, but it does mean he will care for us in this life—even in the midst of that opposition. God is not only the great ultimate Judge who rules the universe; he is also the loving heavenly Father who is intimately aware of everything and everyone in his creation—and especially those who follow Christ.

God’s knowledge of both the SPARROW and the HAIR emphasize his intimate involvement and concern with his children, and implies that his sovereignty is tempered by his love.

This means God won’t permit more than we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13), he can comfort us in the midst of it (2 Cor. 1:3-5), that his Spirit will enable us to respond to our opponents in a way that honors Christ (Luke 12:32), and that he will work through our situation for his glory and our good (Rom. 8:28).

Knowing this and experiencing this is a great motivation to follow Christ even if it means hostility from others (BORIS KORNFELD from COLSON’S Loving God)).

Because eternal issues are at stake (vs 8-10)

Read v. 8. The emphasis here is on confessing Christ before people—acknowledging your belief in him and sharing his claims and offer to those who don’t know him. Jesus will one day present us to the angels of God. This probably refers not to salvation, but to eternal reward. We receive eternal life as a free gift when we believe in Jesus (Rom. 10:9) with our hearts. We receive reward for serving Christ, which includes sharing him with others (1 Thess. 2:19,20 – joy of seeing them there; commendation by Jesus).

We should share Christ with others even if we take flak for it because we love others more than we love our own safety and comfort.

On the other hand, those who deny Jesus will be denied before God’s angels—eternally lost.

QUALIFICATION: This denial does not refer to a lapse under pressure. Peter denied Jesus three times and still inherited eternal life and reward. It refers rather to one’s ultimate decision to reject Jesus and his offer of salvation.

This is why Jesus makes a distinction between speaking a word against him and blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Peter said, “May God curse me if I ever knew that creep!”—yet he was still saved. To blaspheme the Spirit (in context) means to permanently reject the Spirit’s witness of the truth of the gospel and your need for Christ.

GOSPEL: It is a serious thing to harden yourself against the Spirit’s conviction. You don’t know when or if you have the opportunity to respond again. Each time you say “No” to his conviction, it hardens your heart a little more, and makes it easier to say “No” the next time . . . 

Conclusion

Unless you’ve found something worth dying for, you don’t have anything worth living for.

Oh, to be freed from worrying about what people will think or say or do!  To be free to abandon yourself to the truth, confident that God will uphold you and one day vindicate you!