Be Unashamed of the Gospel

In Romans 1:16-17, the Apostle Paul declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For in the gospel a righteous-ness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith," (NIV).  To be ashamed is to feel embarrassed or remorseful of something. The Apostle Paul was saying he was not embarrassed or regretted preaching the gospel.  Paul had endured great persecutions in his missionary travels.   

He described his experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; "...I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.  Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods.  Once I was stoned.  Three times I was shipwrecked.  Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.  I have traveled on many long journeys.  I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers.  I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.  I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.  And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.  I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.  I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.  I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm," (NLT). 

Why could Paul say that he was still unashamed of the gospel after enduring such great trials?  He knew that the gospel was the only way by means that sinful humans could be reconciled to God.  He was commissioned by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.  Yes, he wanted to obey his Heavenly Father, however, he also knew that the gospel was the only way to make a human being born in sin, righteous and justified before God. 

Paul wrote in Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," (NIV).  However, he wrote in Romans 3:21-22, "But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe," (NIV).  Paul knew that being born a Jew and following the law could not cleanse him from his sins and justify him. He knew that being a member of a church or a denomination or being born into a certain culture and religion could not justify anyone before God His Creator. 

Paul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus, and he knew that only receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior could save him from his sins.  He wrote in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," (NIV). 

What about you today?  Are you unashamed of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?  The gospel is good news.  Salvation is found in on one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.  Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me," (NIV).  Receiving Jesus is the only way to be saved from our sins and to be justified before God, our Creator. 

Be unashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation for each human being on the earth today.  Wear Scriptures! 

 

 

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline,” (NIV).  To fear God is to recognize Him as the Creator, who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.”  It is to acknowledge that we are the creation while He is the Creator of the universe, including all human beings.

Hebrews 11:1 is known as the hall of faith. Faith in God enables us to stay the course like Abraham.  Abraham trusted God to fulfill His promises, purpose and plan for his life, despite the impossible situations he faced.  In the natural, Abraham and Sarah having the promised child, Isaac looked hopeless.  Sarah was unable..

     There is a war raging in the heavens for the souls of men.  There is indeed a war raging.  The kingdom of darkness wants to destroy and put a stop to God’s Kingdom advancing on the earth.  But God promises us in Isaiah 54:17, “But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong.  This (peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition) is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced); this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification), says the Lord,” (AMPC). 

    The kingdom of darkness wants to impede, stop and destroy God’s people and God’s will being done in the earth.  The weapons will be formed, but they will not be successful.  Jesus has already won the battle and we as God’s people need to enforce his victory.  Colossians 2:13-15 says, “And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), (God) brought to life together with (Christ), having (freely) forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us).  This (note with its regulations, decrees, and demands) He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to (His) cross.  (God) disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it (the cross),” (AMPC). 

   In John 16:33 Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence.  In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain undaunted)! For I have overcome the world.  (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you,)” (AMPC).  Jesus has already overcome the world and the kingdom of darkness and because He overcame, we overcome. 

   Personal Testimony 

When I first became a believer, it was a very intense time in my life.  I remember walking down a hill to one of my friend’s house and I had my keys in my pocket.  At the bottom of the hill, there was one of my neighbors with his rottweiler. The dog was not leashed.   My keys jingled in my pocket and got the dog’s attention.  The huge dog came charging up the hill at me.  The Holy Spirit came upon me and I had no fear.  I commanded, “In the name of Jesus stop!  In the name of Jesus stop!”  The dog stopped at my feet and looked behind me.  Then I said, “Now turn around and go back to your master.”  The dog turned around and ran down the hill to its owner.  The owner quickly brought him in his house.  I continued walking and I was gloating over the authority that I possessed, but God quickly reminded me it was His angels who protected me.  No Weapon Formed Against Us Shall Prosper.  Be a voice for the gospel.  Wear Scriptures!