Not Ashamed

ByJim Stephens

Reading: Romans 1; Psalm 58

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”  (Romans 1:16–17 NLT)

Not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. This scripture has been with me for all of my life as a Christian. More often than not, when preachers use it in a sermon, it’s presented in a way to guilt Christians into “Soul Winning Activities”! I’m not at all opposed to soul winning methods, and “witnessing” tools. I’ve used the “Roman Road”, the “Four Spiritual Laws”, and a variety of other plans and methods through the years.

But when Paul writes, “I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.”, he’s not saying “I’m not embarrassed to talk about Jesus to others”, he’s saying that the Good News about Christ is not a second-rate message. He’s saying that the Good News is powerful, it contains the life of God’s Spirit, and it can actually turn lives around! So, Paul’s point is, whether or not you or I are embarrassed to “go witnessing”, the Good News itself is nothing to be ashamed of! This Good News is true and it’s the truth. We never have to make excuses about it or for it!

Makes me wonder…Perhaps if we had more confidence in the power of the message, we’d have less struggle with the embarrassment of presenting it!

And while I’m on this track! Maybe it would help if we brought our terminology in line with what we’re actually dealing with here. “Witnessing” is, by definition, telling others what we’ve actually seen, heard, and experienced. Witnessing isn’t the same as preaching. Witnessing is simply telling others our own story of life in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We never have to make excuses for or about telling our own Jesus story. It is what it is!

Prayer:

Father, Please help us to have greater respect for, and confidence in, the Good News about Jesus Christ. Fill our hearts with the assurance that the Good News is indeed the power of God for the salvation of all who hear and believe! For your Kingdom’s sake.