I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, April 27, 2022
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…
Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

Christianity was not a popular religion in pagan Rome where there was a multiplicity of gods. Of what value was the new faith, which originated in Judea, a conquered colony of the mighty Roman Empire?

Was the founder of Christianity not a ‘criminal’ that the Romans had crucified? It did not help that the earliest converts were mostly poor people. Consequently, the Romans and the public in general despised and persecuted Christians.

I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

Paul, a preacher of the gospel, a former Pharisee and a well-travelled Roman citizen understood the predicament of the Roman Christians so well. He knew how hard it was to be a Christian in the big city.

It is within this context that Paul wrote to the Roman Christians: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16).

It is the Power of God to Salvation

Paul was encouraging the believers to remain faithful to the Jesus Christ and His work of saving souls. They were not to feel inferior to idol worshippers and blasphemers. Their Christian faith was immensely more powerful than the mighty Roman Empire.

Are we ashamed of the gospel of Jesus? Do we shy away from discussions that involve Christianity and salvation because we fear others might know we are believers? Is the transformative power of the gospel at work in our lives?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, may I never be ashamed of Your gospel and its power to save.