How much is your face worth?

Matthew 14:6-10 - brought that question to my face (pun intended)

⁶But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias’s daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. ⁷In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. ⁸Already coached by her mother, she was ready: “Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer.” ⁹That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it - ¹⁰ordered John’s head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter.(http://bible.com/97/mat.14.6-10.MSG)

The only reason why Herod ordered the execution of John in spite of his obvious dislike for the guy, was so he didn't lose face (i.e. to "save face"). Granted he was an unbeliever but I still couldn't help but wonder how many times those of us who are not just professing, but proof-laden and productive* Christians do the wrong thing just to "save face"? Who are we facing and saving face from? If we are truly looking up to Jesus** and following in His footsteps*** we'd we facing our Almighty God. And if the elements of the equation are correct so far, then we should be more & more like Jesus Who only gained/"saved" face for God by doing what pleased Him.***

So back to my question: "How much is your "face" worth?" Is it really worth crucifying Jesus again?**** The next time you're faced with a situation with the option of saving your face think carefully about your options and how much your face (and might I add faith) are really worth. Always remember that the sinless Only Son died for you...face included so please think very, very carefully before you say or do anything that challenges your "face."


References:

* Matt 7:16 - By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? (AMP)
Luke 6: 43-45 - ⁴³You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. ⁴⁴The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. ⁴⁵You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. (MSG)
Col 1:10 - so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts];  (AMP)
** Heb 12:2 - [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. (AMP)
*** 1 Pet 2:21 - For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (NLT)
John 4:34 - Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. (NLT)
**** Heb 6: 4-6 - AMP) For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace. (AMP)