Romans 1:16 (New International Version)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
I am not ashamed of the gospel. The apostle Paul suffered greatly for the cause of Jesus Christ. But what he understood is that the cost of following Jesus was worth every moment. Paul stated that in his weakness the strength of Christ is perfected (2 Cor 12:8-10). No matter what Paul faced he understood that no matter the level of suffering that the grace of God would be sufficient.
But it was the suffering he went through and endured that made him the apostle that he was. Every time we are called to suffer for the name of Jesus we die to this world and its desires. Paul was ridiculed at times for preaching the gospel. But he understood it was the proclamation of the gospel that carried the power of salvation for everyone who would believe and receive.
When the gospel is proclaimed we never know the seeds that are being planted and the eternal impact it is making. God leads and guides us one step at a time. When we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to share and proclaim the gospel, there may be those who ridicule us and make fun. But in that moment it is the Lord who strengthens us. For true joy is found in the Lord. It is the joy of the Lord that is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
The wonderful news is that the offer of salvation is open to all who will believe. Paul writes here to the Jew first, then to the gentile. God first called Abraham and told him through him the nations of the world would be blessed. That he would have many descendants. God was speaking about the eternal impact of Abraham’s obedience. Abraham’s willingness to say yes to God paved the way for the Messiah to one day be born through his line. Jesus would come preaching and ministering to the nation of Israel. But it was the Father’s will for Him to be rejected that the way of salvation would be made available to all people.
Let us never forget God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. That whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. The key is whoever. The door of salvation is open to all people and to unlock that door and become a child of God requires that a person receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and begin to live and walk with Him each day. This is why Paul was not ashamed to proclaim the gospel because when it goes forth it has the power to save.
Prayer
Father, I come to you today and ask you to fill me with your boldness. Enable me to proclaim and share the gospel with those around me. Help me to have eyes to see those who are lost and give me the words to speak that will plant seeds in their lives. Water those seeds through the power of the Holy Spirit and in this time may many come to saving faith in Jesus. Father help me to be the disciple you have called me to be. In the name of Jesus.
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