We usually think that denying Christ is an outright act--like Peter's disavowal of Jesus in John 18. But Reginald Heber, the English writer of the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy," pointed out that we can deny the Savior in more subtle ways.

Heber wrote: "We deny our Lord whenever, like Demas, we, through love of this present world, forsake the course of duty which Christ has plainly pointed out to us. We deny our Lord whenever we lend . . . our praise, or even our silence, to [things] . . . which we ourselves believe to be sinful . . . . We deny our Lord whenever we forsake a good man in affliction, and refuse to give countenance, encouragement, and support to those who, for God's sake and for the faithful discharge of their duty, are exposed to persecutions and slander."

Those who have been born again will consciously avoid any open, deliberate, and vocal denial of the Lord. But loving the world, failing to do as God directs, tolerating sin, and refusing to support our fellow believers are subtle ways we do, in effect, deny the One who has redeemed us.

Let's determine to live faithfully for Jesus so that no one will ever be able to accuse us of turning our backs on Him. Remember, we're always in danger of denial.  — Richard De Haan