I said that if you would deny me before men then I would deny you before my Father in heaven. Have you ever seen teenagers who were embarrassed by their parents in the presence of their peers? You know this is wrong even though it is so commonplace as to be cliché. This is an immature stage of development that should not be desired or admired, but it is real. Do you know that there are stages of development for spiritual maturity just as there are for human growth?

What is the worst insult you can make or receive? Is it that someone is irrational? This is to imply that everything should flow from evidence through reasoning to conclusions in a linear, methodical, rigorous and unemotional process. Is this premise itself up for scrutiny? Is this the way life really works? How much of your life is structured this way, or that of anyone you know? And there is a fine line between reason as outlined above and rationalism in which the process happens in reverse and reasons are invented to justify prior conclusions.

You know that grace is a free gift. Do you conclude from this that the Christian life and discipleship are effortless? What has been your experience? Have you found that believing releases you from all pain and suffering, from all sorrow and sacrifice and strenuous effort? If this is not your experience then you are in good company with your fellow believers throughout history. How do you reconcile this with free grace? Paul said that the suffering in this world is not worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in us.

Have you heard that everything comes at a price? You know that grace is free, but what about everything else? You know that not all costs are monetary, and some are hidden. Economists speak of opportunity cost, that you can only do one thing at a time, and so a commitment to do one thing costs you the opportunity to do other things. Trade-offs are inevitable in life, but do not let this discourage you. It is beneficial for you to know the truth, and walk in the light.