Not ashamed
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
There is nothing so incapacitating as life without purpose. On the other hand, there is nothing so energizing as life filled with purpose. A life purpose will bring focus and drive to anyone, be they Christian or non-Christian. And it does not even have to be a particularly spiritual purpose. But if a mundane purpose can empower conventionally, think what a divine purpose could do in the life of one who is linked to the eternal purposes of God! Because of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul is perhaps the best example we have of a life transformed and empowered by living out a divinely-ordained life purpose. Paul was an enemy of the gospel before he came to know Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. But because of his faith in Christ, he became obedient and was focused on his identity being a follower of Christ. He realized that Christ’s death on the cross paid the infinite price that provided him security and assurance of eternity. This was why he was roaming looking for one more person to tell about the gospel of the grace of God. Once we understand the gift that God gave us through His sacrificial death, we will feel that we are indebted to Him. “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel” (Romans 1:14-15). The gospel itself is the power of God that gives life, deliverance, and salvation. Everything that God wants for us is to be found in the gospel. Paul is not ashamed to proclaim the gospel because the power of God will cast a stark contrast to the “power” of man. The gospel will reveal the righteousness of God in the midst of the unrighteousness of man. It is only by embracing the gospel that we will be saved. The gospel displays the righteousness of God as well as His being and His glory. The gospel does not contain the power of God. It is the power of God to everyone who believes it and lives in it. Let us not be ashamed to proclaim the gospel.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com