Are You Ashamed?

We are living in an interesting era of history.

Thanks to technology, we can know what a person half a world away had for dinner. We get intimate glimpses into the lives of people we do not know—and sometimes even people we do not want to know. Social media encourages people to embrace their inner everything. We are told to say whatever we please, regardless of whether it is true or how it may make another person feel. Do you know what is not encouraged in our society? Pursuing God with our whole hearts. We are not influenced to become the men and women God created us to be. We are not inspired to develop characters God can be proud of.

In fact, depending on the group you find yourself in, they may try to convince you God does not exist. The apostle Paul found himself in a similar climate.

While the Jews believed in God and looked forward to the coming of the promised Messiah, they did not accept Jesus as the Son of God.

They rejected and abused Him and, ultimately, murdered Him on a cross (John 18:28–19:42). When Jesus rose from the dead, they spread lies, saying His disciples had stolen the body (Matthew 28:13). When Paul taught the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, some mistreated him. They beat him, stoned him, and threw him in prison. They tried to cancel him. But Paul was having none of that. Just look at his bold declaration: “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:16). Paul had experienced the power of the gospel firsthand and knew what Christ could do. He also knew the God he served and was proud to let people know he believed in Jesus. He went from persecuting the saints to leading the early church. Talk about the transformative power of the gospel! My friends, Jesus loved us enough to die for you and me. He left heaven’s glory to live a life of poverty and humiliation—for us.

Jesus has done marvelous things for us! How hard can it be for us to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior? As we spend time with our heavenly Father, we will boldly proclaim with Paul that we are not ashamed of the gospel. May the transforming power of Christ within be at work within our lives today!

Aminata Coote