Ashamed of the Gospel?

Chuckle:  "The emergency brake on my car is really not an "emergency brake." I never use it in an emergency. It should be called a 'makes your car smell really funny' lever."   

 

Good Quote:  "It's not our choice as to whether or not we believers wish to be epistles of Christ. We just are! What is the message others read in you?" --Unknown Author

 

ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL?

 

    "For I am not ashamed of this Good News (gospel) about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes -- Jews first and also Gentiles" (Romans 1:16 NLT).

 

Paul described three elements of his life that resulted in power for his evangelistic efforts: a deep sense of obligation to his Lord; an eagerness to spread the gospel message; and pride in the gospel for what it could do.  When he reflected on the sacrifice Christ made for him on the cross, he saw himself as being deeply in debt, with an accompanying obligation to repay that debt by being a faithful witness.  This sense of obligation made him eager to share the message with all people.  Thus he received great satisfaction from what he was doing and saw no reason, whatsoever, to be ashamed of the gospel message.

 

When you stop and think about it, God did nothing for the apostle Paul that he hasn't done for each of us.  His sacrificial and atoning death on the cross was for all people, equally.  Why is it that most of us are so timid and unsure of ourselves when it comes to sharing the Good News with others?  People give various reasons for not witnessing for their Lord.  But I suppose it boils down to depending on our own strength rather than the limitless strength and power of the One who commanded us to "go and make disciples of all nations."   When we depend upon our inadequate human strength, fear, anxiety, timidity, and ineffectiveness as a witness becomes the norm.  Depending upon God's strength will make us bold and eager to share what Christ has done for us.

 

In reality, each of us is a witness of one sort or another.  If you profess to be a Christian, you are a living testimony of your faith -- either positive or negative. Someone has put it this way:

 

You are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day,

By deeds you do,

By words you say.

Men read what you write,

Whether faithless or true,

Say! What is the gospel

According to you?

 

God has entrusted to us the priceless message of Jesus Christ, the gospel.  It is the power of God which will save anyone, and everyone who, places their faith and trust (believes) in Christ.  What an awesome responsibility God has given us; but what a joy it can be when we are faithful in sharing the Good News, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and seeing lives changed.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse