“The other day,” Stan commented, “I was again looking at the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome and I was reminded that something he wrote in a single verse in the very first chapter is the reflection of how I came to faith.”
“A single verse?” I said. “What’s it say?”
“Paul wrote that he was not ashamed of the gospel,” Stan replied.
“So?”
“Because the people God brought into my life were not ashamed of the gospel and were not ashamed of sharing their faith with me,” Stan replied, “is why and how I was introduced to the truth of what Christ accomplished by His finished work on the cross.”
“Because they were not ashamed,” I said, “you now have the assurance of salvation and redemption, is that it?”
“The assurance of life eternally with God when it’s time,” Stan replied, “along with the opportunity to pursue the eternal life of knowing Him and Jesus before then.”
“If those people,” he continued, “had been ashamed of the gospel and ashamed of sharing their faith, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I wouldn’t be on the way to where I know I’m going when my time here is done.”
“So,” I said, “do you think there are people out there who will never know the truth because someone was or is ashamed to tell them?”
“I do,” Stan replied, “and it makes me wonder about them. There’s nothing to be ashamed about.”
“Well,” I replied, “if there’s nothing to be ashamed about, why would some Christians act like there is by not sharing the gospel with others?”
“That’s a good question, my friend,” Stan said rather solemnly. “One we could talk about for a long time.”
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Bible verses to consider:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes. Romans 1:16.
Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32.
Every one therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:33-33.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the truth of the gospel. Thank you for the people you brought into my life who were not ashamed of that truth and were not ashamed of sharing it with me so I would know. Because of them I was able to come to the truth and be able to accept your free and gracious provision of life eternally with you when it’s time. I confess that too often I do not share the truth of the gospel with others so they will also know that truth. Help me to never be ashamed of the gospel and never be ashamed to share the truth. Please, Father, help me in following every step of your lead so I do share the truth and I do help others to be free from all that is keeping them from you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Has someone shared the truth of the gospel with you? If so, have you accepted all that God has for you: life eternally with Him and the eternal life of knowing Him and Jesus on this side of eternity? If you have not accepted God’s provision, why? What’s in the way? If you are a Christian, how are doing in sharing the truth with others? Is there something that makes you “ashamed” of the gospel? If so, what it that all about? If you sense the need for change in how you share the truth of the gospel, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 