Today’s Devotion
Topic: Are You Ashamed Of The Gospel?
Text: Romans 1: 16- 17.
16 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. 17 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.” Amen.
In a world where wrong is gradually being accepted as right, and right seeming like wrong in the eyes of perverts who want nothing to do with the righteousness of God, many believers feel comfortable hiding their identity than to stick their heads high and let the whole world see their love for Jesus.
To some, being public and confident about their love for Christ will not only earn them the title “chrife” (or too spiritual), which they dread; but also cost them the freedom to “feel free” and blend in with the world for pleasure. Others see the teachings of the faith as having the potential to cost them some friends and opportunities, should they live it boldly and publicly.
For instance, the opportunity to cut corners with colleagues in the office to make some more money will be lost if they make everyone know their stand in Christ. As a result, such ‘believers’ pray privately and try to maintain a kind of relationship with God. They would rather compromise to please friends, than to STAND firm and tall for all to attest to their faith.
These people are more likely to sneak in and out of church without introducing themselves to or fraternizing with anyone there. In the public eye, they are tough solid people who do not need help (not even from God). But in private, they cry to Him for help. Their double “standardness” doesn’t bother them at all, they love it this way.
But see, Jesus knew this will happen so He forewarned that; “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in Heaven.” (Mat 10: 33). How devastating will it be to have Jesus disown you before the Father? Think about it.
That is why Paul would not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also discovered that this gospel is the power of God that brings SALVATION to everyone who believes. Why should anyone be ashamed of such a gracious opportunity to reconcile all men back to God?
The Apostle went about identifying himself without shame as a bond servant of Christ. He lived and talked as a Christian; was ridiculed and persecuted for being a Christian; yet he would rather endure all that than disown Christ before others.
In the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith and not works. Meditate on this word and begin to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you the boldness to identify with Him as an approved workman for Christ who is not ashamed, but rightly divides the word of truth (2 Tim 2: 15).
Show the world you belong to Christ! Live for Him both publicly and privately; tell everyone of His love for them if they would believe; share Him always on social media, knowing that each acknowledgement you bring Christ before others earns you one more acknowledgement before the Father. They are blessed; those who do that. The FATHER HONOURS THEM TOO.
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