Romans 1:16 (NKJV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Have you ever been ashamed of something you said or did? This is a rhetorical question. All of us should answer “Yes!” to this. Only a blind and callous heart would reply “No”. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, NKJV). Certainly one sin in our life has brought embarrassment and shame. The good news is that we are forgiven of our sins by the One who died on the cross for us. Rom. 8:1 tells us that, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (NKJV). If Christ does not condemn us, the believer, we must accept this at face value and not condemn ourselves so we may be free.
The “ashamed” the Apostle Paul is referring to in Rom. 1:16 has eternal consequences for those who do not believe that Christ is Lord. Christians know their sins are forgiven. Christians understand that heaven will one day be their eternal home. However, we should never abuse our Christian liberty because we are heaven bound (Gal. 5:13). We should use our freedom for the good and for the sake of others. What is the best way to do this? Sharing the gospel must be at the top of the list!
During times of crisis people usually join hands and help one another. Examples of this could be during earthquakes or tsunamis. Other examples include historical events such as 9/11 or world wars. When a crisis occurs, forgotten are the labels we so dearly hold onto such as: liberal, conservative, atheist, Christian, tree hugger, activist, or a slew of other earthly labels that have zero heavenly value. If someone is buried in rubble, trapped in a coal mine that collapsed, or is screaming for help in a burning building, everyone comes together.
But what about the spiritually lost? What becomes of their fate; a fate whose eternal consequences rest in the power of our tongues? Does everyone come together to assist them? For a myriad of reasons they do not, but for the Christian there is no excuse! All of us will die an earthly death except those that are living when Christ returns (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Christians have no choice and must share Christ! Jesus Himself has mandated that we do so (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8).
I ask myself these questions when I ask you:
* When is the last time you shared Christ with a family member?
* When is the last time you shared Jesus with your neighbor?
* When is the last time you shared the gospel with a stranger?
* Are you ashamed of the gospel? If so, why?
The gospel is the power of salvation for everyone who believes. We should never be ashamed of the gospel!
Copyright 2025 Michael Callahan Ministries, LLC
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