Not Ashamed of the Gospel
The negative impact of an Anti-Christ society. In the news media and academia there is a “cult of non-belief.”
The “intellectual elite” assumes that stupidity accompanies religious conviction!
About 57% of Americans do not attend church and oppose organized religion.
Embarrassment and shame has been the result with many Christians.
We will be condemned eternally for having shame of God and His gospel!
Mark 8:38 (NASB) – “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.”
Our readiness to spread the gospel requires that we are not ashamed of it. With zeal and confidence we are meant to proclaim the gospel. Rom. 1:15 (NASB) – Thus, for my part, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rom. – cf. Acts 8:4. Paul was ready because he was not ashamed of the Gospel and all that it stands for! Rom. 1:16-17 (NASB) – 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” – cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 1:13; John 17:17; Acts 20:27
Why we should not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. The gospel is the power of God (from Dunamis) (Rom. 1:16). Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” The gospel stands for that same great power that God used to create the world! Psalm 33:9 (NASB) Indeed; The Gospel is the power of an all-powerful God wiser than the wisdom of men (1 Cor. 1:20).
“The world has many religions; it has but one gospel.” It is for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (all nations) (e.g., Acts 8:37) – The gospel comes from an impartial God (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34-35). The Gospel is God’s plan on how to become right before God. Rom 1:17 (NASB) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
Obeying the gospel is the way we can be acquitted or released from sin (forgiven) and regarded as righteous in God’s sight! (Acts 2:38) When we are absolutely convinced that only in the gospel, righteousness before God can be obtained, we will share it with others! (Rom. 3:21-23). The Gospel reveals the plan of righteousness that can be understood. Romans 1:17 (NASB) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” – cf. Eph. 3:3-5
Only in the gospel, can we learn about righteousness made possible by God. The Gospel produces faith in those who hear it. Rom 1:17 (NASB) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” – Rom. 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Why be ashamed to proclaim the gospel when there is such great potential? The righteous live by faith (i.e., trust and believe in Christ, not in themselves) and by faith shall live eternally. Rom 1:17 (NASB) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”
The Christian (or the righteous) will live by faith.
He will not rely on himself, trust in his good works, and try to earn his way to Heaven (Eph. 2:8-9). His good works demonstrate a living faith (James 2:14-26), but cannot merit salvation alone!
The righteous will believe in Christ and trust in God’s power to save him through the gospel (e.g., Rom. 4:5-8).
A person who lives life “by faith and obedience” to Christ Jesus is justified in God’s sight and thus “will live” eternally.