Yes. There are very many good Christian people who never realize the true joy that belongs to the followers of Jesus, because they do not live in the sunlight. Some are so exceedingly sensitive about personal religion that they shrink to talk of it, even to their intimate friends. Even though they believe, they yet stand "afar off"; they have not been sufficiently drawn by love for the Master, or by zeal for his service, to come near enough to the Cross to feel the glow that stimulates the ardent believer. When once these timid souls can shake off their reticence and come boldly forward and confess Christ before the world, a transformation takes place. There is a very real blessing which follows the confession of our faith before men. Jesus himself said "Every one who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father, which is in heaven." (Matt. 10:32.) The knowledge of such recognition, following our open acknowledgment of Jesus as a Saviour, gives courage to the Christian and, like a loyal soldier who sees the flag of his country waving above him and who salutes it, his whole being thrills with zeal for service for the Great Captain of Salvation. Thus, at every fitting opportunity the believer should run up the flag, and let the world see whom he is serving.
