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 for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
What then do these verses say today?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel. Honestly, sometimes I have to wonder about that. I remember telling a lady about a good Christian Mystery I read once, one that weaved the bible into the mystery in a good manner. She asked me why I liked it so much and I found myself stumbling all over the place not wanting her to think I'm weird and yet wanting to say why I liked the book so much. Even now sometimes I find myself not wanting to say "I'm being kind because that's what God would have me do." I shouldn't be like that. I should have that boldness to say what's really important...and the end of it is.. GOD. Seriously, if God weren't God working in my life I'd be such a lost soul.
But why shouldn't we be ashamed?
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes
God is our salvation, but not only ours. It's for EVERYONE who believes. Not just Joe Right or the jewish believers ... but for EVERYONE.
to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Admittedly... God came first to the Jewish nation. The whole Old Testament is about that. He chose them. His son was born within the Jewish nation. His first friends and followers were Jewish people, he first was in the temple as a lad astounding the Jewish Teachers. But from there the gospel spread. Friends, families, neighbours, Roman Guards and more. Seeing the power of God's salvation at work. WHY? Because his people were not ashamed to proclaim the gospel of God.
So if I truly want to see God's good news spread I MUST stop being ashamed of the gospel. It must be there and ready on my tongue when people ask me why I live as I do. Why I teach my son as I do. Why I'm kind or helpful or whatever. It's all God and I mustn't be afraid to admit it..
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
I read these words and I find myself compelled to think about those last words. The righteous shall live by faith. It's true you know. If it weren't for God and his righteousness I wouldn't be the person I am today. The faith of my parents is revealed in me. The faith of the righteous who have gone on before me is passed on through me. My son's faith will be influenced by the faith of those who have gone on before him.
I wonder who else's faith will be influenced by my generation, and who will be influenced by my son's generation. It moves on faith does...
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Good post. We should not be ashamed or, to use another word - embarrassed. But I find myself that way. This was good encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I found it a good reminder
DeleteI agree about not being ashamed. It is really hard living in an area of the world dominated by secular norms. But you both are right - I should find the courage of my convictions to be myself.
ReplyDeleteI also really, really like the part, "The faith of the righteous who have gone on before me is passed on through me. My son's faith will be influenced by the faith of those who have gone on before him. " Such a wonderful thought to keep in mind for those long homeschooling days!
it's hard though eh? To stand for what is right when those around you say NO. Hard to be separate from the crowd.. I suppose that's why we should remember the invisible crowd around us eh?
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