By Doug Bell
Romans 1:
16¶ “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
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As I read this verse, the word that seems to be out of place to me, is the word “Ashamed.” It is used 105X in the Bible (NKJV), so we will only use references in the New Testament.
According to the ‘Merriam-Webster Dictionary the meaning of ashamed is;
’Definition of ashamed
1a: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace
b: feeling inferior or unworthy 2: reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment’ 1
Now there are many things That we are to be ashamed of! 1.) Our sinful lives before we were saved. • Romans 6:
20¶ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
2.) Christian’s that don’t keep their word. • 2 Corinthians 9:
3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
3.) Not treating the Bible with Integrity.
• 2 Timothy 2:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
4.) Not Obeying the commands of the NT.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
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5.) In fact, Christians are to live such an exemplary life before the World, that they (the world) will be ashamed for their bad treatment of us. • Titus 2:
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
• 1 Peter 3:
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
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6.) Jesus is not ashamed to be called our brother, and the Father is not ashamed to be called our God!
• Hebrews 2:
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
• Hebrews 11:
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
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7.) But WE must Never be ashamed of Our God, Our Savior, Or any part of His plan of Salvation!
• Luke 9:
26 ”For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
• 2 Timothy 1:
8¶ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
• 2 Timothy 1:
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
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So I have to ask, “How could any true believer be ashamed (feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace, feeling inferior or unworthy, reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment”) because of the Gospel?
The Gospel is Our Treasure, Our Pearl of Great Price, Our Glory! If we found the cure for Cancer, would we be ashamed? NO! We would shout it from the housetops We would go on every television program and announce, WE HAVE THE CURE!
But, cancer is temporary. At best, a cure would only give people a few more years! The GOSPEL is about ETERNITY! We have the cure for ‘eternal damnation!’ It is the “POWER OF GOD” for the salvation of ALL who believe!
Dear Christian, you have absolutely NO reason to be ashamed. Your Heavenly Father planned a great work, Jesus came and worked that plan, and now the Holy Spirit Is applying that plan! God doesn’t even hold you responsible for the results! ALL God ask of you is that you ‘pray‘ for your lost unsaved family and friends. And when you have an opportunity, you simply ‘share’ this magnificent Gospel of Salvation with them. And why wouldn’t you want to? You have the Greatest Cure for the Worst sickness that has taken hold of them and is dragging them to Hell! The Cure for Sin is in your hands. Will you use it, or be ashamed?
16¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
1- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ashamed