November 23rd
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
When it comes to sharing the gospel fear can overwhelm us. We can find ourselves frozen and unable to evangelize. We can in a sense become ashamed of the message we know we need to share. The offense taken by some who hear the gospel can elicit embarrassment of the gospel. We don’t share because they don’t want to hear. We develop evangelistic embarrassment. This embarrassment could also emerge from our own inadequacies in the manner and the method by which we present the gospel. It could likewise arise from our own lack of confidence in our abilities to proclaim the good news. Being ashamed of the gospel might even surface from our own personal shame for our lack of holiness. We are embarrassed by the fact that we still struggle in sin, so how can we tell someone that Jesus could save them, when we still sin.
But we should not let our own inadequacies and the insolence of others make us embarrassed of the gospel. It is not the messenger but the message that saves. Obviously someone who blatantly blasphemes the gospel is not an appropriate messenger of the gospel. But for those of us who faithfully serve and frequently sin, we are the capable candidates needed to communicate the good news. God is not looking for “perfect” proclaimers, but for those who are being perfected to be the ones who proclaim the gospel. We don’t need to be ashamed of the very message that delivered us from our shame.
Paul attests that the gospel is God’s power for salvation. We have no power in ourselves. Our task is not to save someone but to share with them the gospel which has the power to save them. Jesus has the power to save the vilest of sinners. There is not one person who cannot be saved. The power for salvation is found in the proclamation of the gospel. The gospel is God’s means to accomplish our salvation. It is the preaching of the gospel, not the preacher of the gospel that has the power to save. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel because it is through the gospel that God saves people. We shouldn’t be ashamed either.
This transforming power is not limit or restricted to a certain sect or group of people. Paul says it is “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” It is a message for all people everywhere. As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds in the field, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). This good news is for all mankind. It should be proclaimed in every neighborhood and every nation. It is to be announced to every tribe and tongue. It should be broadcasted to the far reaches of civilization. Let us make the gospel global.
This gospel must be appropriate to be activated. The gospel message brings salvation to everyone who believes. Disbelief deactivates the power that the gospel provides. It is not just hearing the gospel, but heeding the gospel that produces salvation. The recipient of the gospel must respond to the gospel in repentance and faith to be saved. It is to be announced to all but it is only effective for those who believe. May the power of the gospel save all those to whom the gospel is proclaimed.
Today thank God for the power of the gospel. Praise Him for the life transforming power that accompanies the good news. Ask Him to help you to not be ashamed of the gospel, but to boldly proclaim it to your family and friends.
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