Not Ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek”

~Romans 1:16 HCSB

The book of Romans is the greatest letter in the New Testament.  Paul was not ashamed of the gospel.  So the question is why would someone be ashamed?  On the surface the message about a simple Jewish man who was a teacher was put to death by the Romans.  This same man Jesus was raised from the dead and is now Lord.  This idea would seem foolish to the Gentiles and was a stumbling block for the Jews.  To be crucified was for the lowest members of society, so could Jesus possibly be a savior!  So how could Paul ever convince someone to believe such a story?

The answer is he didn’t.  It is the power of the gospel that opens minds and changes hearts, not Paul with a convincing argument. People are saved by faith, but faith is not the cause of salvation.  The cause of salvation is the grace of God, the will of God, the Spirit’s power working through the message of the gospel.  Paul’s job was to proclaim that message and let God do the rest.  So how does that play out today?  We must realize we do not save anyone.  We don’t save ourselves.  It is something apart from human will or effort.  It is the work of God and God alone, by His grace through faith.

Our job is to proclaim Christ to everyone and God does the saving.  Through us the message is delivered, the Holy Spirit opens the heart and mind, convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment and points them to Christ.  Christ is the one whom did all the work on the cross and through the resurrection.  Through Christ they have forgiveness of sin and are justification by faith.  When we pray for a person to come to know Christ, we pray for God to draw them, for God to open their hearts and make Himself know to them.  We pray for God to change their hearts through Christ. 

Lord thank you for invading my heart and making yourself know to me.  Thank you for saving me, thank you working in my life.  Lord thank you for your grace!   Lord use me to proclaim you to others.  Help me to pray for people who need you and give me the opportunity to share you.  Lord do not allow me to be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of salvation!  Amen