The pressure is intense. The danger real. The culture today wants to make us feel ashamed of Jesus. Ashamed for our “out of date beliefs.” Ashamed for being narrow minded. Ashamed — therefore we should be silent.

Jesus understood this pressure and predicted that some would give in and be ashamed of Him (Mark 8:38). He goes on to state that one day He will return with an army of His holy angels. He will return for those who were not ashamed of Him. The gospel is the hinge of history, and of every human life.

Paul understood it too. Right here, in these critical verses at the beginning of Romans, Paul lays out his theme for the entire book. Don’t miss it. It’s the key to everything that follows. He later counseled young Timothy, “do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8).

The gospel is the power of God to bring salvation to everyone who believes. Ashamed of that? Are you kidding? How can that be out of date? How can an offer made to everyone be narrow minded? The righteousness of God? It comes as God’s free gift in response to faith. How could anyone be ashamed of that?

Never be ashamed of the Lord or of the gospel or the power of God at work in your life. Those who receive it in faith will live forever!

I will live for you, Lord, for all the days of my life. Thank you for this wonderful, powerful gift! Let me never be ashamed to proclaim it. Amen.

Go Deeper — There are temptations around you which proclaim you should be ashamed for your beliefs. Name some of them. They are real, but they are wrong. Resolve to live in faith by the power of God.


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Tags: Romans Romans 1
Photo Credit: Jace Grandinetti