Monday, March 2, 2009
Not Ashamed
(Romans 1:1-17)
Paul recognized the significance of the Gospel for the salvation of men. He understood the awesome responsibility of preaching the only message that can save from sin, death, and Hell. He spoke, therefore, with boldness, declaring Christ as the world’s only hope.
Political correctness and the prevailing winds of tolerance make Paul’s attitude toward the Gospel seem anachronistic—something belonging to a bygone era. Fashionable ministers, in tune with relativism, glibly reassure adoring crowds that “all roads lead to God.” Pandering to the sentiments of the age has—in many places—muted the true message of the Gospel.
That’s where Paul’s example of unashamed boldness should inspire us. Rather than being mousey or reticent to speak up for Christ, we should be bold and firm in our verbal stand for the Lord. We should not allow cultural trends to intimidate our speech. We must present Jesus Christ to this lost world as the only hope—not a religion, not a church, not a philosophy—but Jesus Christ Himself, the only hope for salvation.
While the message is exclusive (Jesus is the only hope) the appeal is universal. The Gospel is the “power of God to everyone that believeth.” All are welcome to come to Christ. Anyone believing will be saved. That’s good news! Let’s never be ashamed.
