Faith Lives On, Be Not Ashamed.

Hello, continuing my study in the Book of Romans. Glad to have you here. Click here for the rest of the series.    Today Romans 1:16-17. 

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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Hymn Study: Come Thou Almighty King

I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters, and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God almighty reigns. Revelation 19:6

Come Thou Almighty King is a hymn I am very familiar with, spelling out for us who God is.  

Originally sung to the tune "God save the King" the national anthem for Britain.   Now obviously that wasn't going to work in Britain, so a new tune was developed to go along with these words. 

This song has been around since about 1755, with different authors being ascribed to it but none proven.   Currently no one has a real certainty about who the author is.  For more on this, I suggest you visit here. 

Hymnologist Albert Bailey characterizes the hymn in this manner: “The hymn is a prayer for the presence of Christ to inspire a congregation in the hour of worship. God is addressed under three forms: as Father, the timeless “Ancient of Days” whose function is to rule (stanza 1); as Incarnate Word, the spirit of holiness whose function is to bless and conquer (stanza 2); as Comforter, the indwelling source of joy and power (stanza 3); and finally as the mystic combination, the Holy Trinity, in whose presence we shall spend an eternity of love and adoration (stanza 4).”  (source)

 

Lyrics:

1 Come, thou almighty King,
help us thy name to sing;
help us to praise.
Father, all glorious,
o'er all victorious,
come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

2 Come, thou incarnate Word,
gird on thy mighty sword;
scatter thy foes.
Let thine almighty aid
our sure defense be made,
our souls on thee be stayed;
thy wonders show.

3 Come, holy Comforter,
thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

4 To thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore.

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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time .