“As we’ve talked about many times,” Stan mentioned one morning, “I think the apostle Paul was especially gifted by God to speak volumes in just a few words.”
“Yeah,” I replied, “it’s really something to read how he went from where he was on the Damascus Road to where God wanted him to be in spreading the gospel.”
“Exactly,” Stan said, “and earlier this morning I was looking at one verse he wrote in his letter to the church in Rome that raises for me a vital question about the gospel.”
“One verse with one question,” I replied. “What’s that?”
“Paul wrote that he was not ashamed of the gospel,” Stan replied.
“So?”
“It’s to be the same for me,” Stan said. “I’m to be just like Paul in not being ashamed of the gospel, but too often I act like I am ashamed.”
“You act like you’re ashamed of the gospel?” I replied. “How can that be?”
“Why else would I be so reluctant to tell other people about the gospel?” Stan said. “Do I not tell them because I’m ashamed of what I believe?”
“Also,” he added, “If I’m not ashamed of the gospel, why does my life look like I am ashamed way too often.”
“Oh,” I replied, “you mean like why do you not manifest a life that has been saved by the power of the gospel?”
“That’s it,” Stan said. “Those are the questions that are raised in my mind by what Paul wrote.”
“Maybe,” I commented, “those are good questions for me to ask myself.”
“And, maybe, ”Stan said rather solemnly, “a whole lot of other people should ask that as well.”
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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, to the Jew first and also the Greek. Romans 1:16.
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18.
But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24.
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus so that all who believe can know they will spend eternity in your presence when it’s time. Thank you for those people who were not ashamed of the gospel and told me the truth so I could accept it. I confess that too often I act like I am ashamed of the gospel in that I do not tell others that it is the truth of your provision for them. Also, too often I act like I’m ashamed of the gospel because my life does not reflect a life that has been impacted by its power. Please, Father, forgive the foolish hypocrisy of claiming to be a Christian, but acting like I am ashamed of the gospel. And please lead me in following every step of your lead so I live this life in ways that manifest that I am, in fact, not ashamed of the gospel. Help me to live and proclaim it just as you intend. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the truth of the gospel so you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when it’s time? If no, why? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with living and proclaiming the gospel in ways that show you are not ashamed of it? Have there been times when you acted like you were ashamed of the gospel? If so, what was that all about? If you sense the need for change, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 