November 7, 2008

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:16-17 NKJV)

In the beginning of this letter to the Romans Paul declares his unwavering commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was not ashamed of it nor would he ever be ashamed of it. He had just cause to make his stand on the Gospel, which we shall examine now.

First, he was not ashamed of the Gospel because it was the power of God to salvation. The Gospel message is not some mundane prose as that which fills the stacks of countless libraries. It is the message of life empowered by the creator. It inflames hatred and wrath in the proud, and smites the heart of the humble. It condemns the self-righteous, and resurrects the self-loathing.

Therefore, Paul rightly says, “It is the power of God to Salvation.” “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom 10:17). This Gospel is a precious thing. It is the means to eternal life. Paul was right not to be ashamed of this precious gift from God.

Second, he was not ashamed of the Gospel because it revealed the righteousness of God. God is beyond our knowledge. If He did not transcend the boundary between the spiritual, heavenly kingdom and this physical world, we would all doubtless slip into hell none the wiser. The Gospel is a message of God’s righteousness.

It answers the question, “How can a just God get sinful men into a righteous heaven?” The Gospel reveals the sinfulness of man, the perfection of a sinless Christ who died on the cross, and the grace of God that produces faith in a sinner to trust in that sacrifice for salvation. God is righteous when men go to hell, and when men go to heaven. The Scriptures reveal all of this. What a precious thing the Gospel is.

Third, Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel because it reveals the need for faith. The just shall live by faith is the grand theme of the Gospel, and Jesus is the object of that theme. Faith is crucial to our salvation for without it we will perish. In addition, it is crucial because it is the manifest presence of God in our lives.

We are called over and over again to examine it (2 Cor. 10:5), to rest upon it (Hebrews 11.1), and to add to it (2 Pet. 1:5-8). Faith takes God by the hand and walks through the valley of the shadow of death. It casts off this world and hopes for another whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11.10).

The true Gospel message reveals all of this. Everything we need for life, evangelism, and peace is in the Gospel. Therefore, of course, we should not be ashamed of this precious gift, but should herald it until the Lord’s return.
Jesus said. "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). How are you doing with the Gospel? Are you ashamed of it and your faith? Here is a good test: Are you looking forward to Christ’s return? If not search out the matter and rest not until you can say, “Come Lord Jesus.” Amen.