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Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

A man ashamed of the gospel would not have been able to endure the hardships Paul went through (imprisonment, beatings and shipwrecks) and come out the other end with a continual passion for reaching the lost with the gospel. Paul was also facing social hardships, in that he had opposition of his teaching that God is for both Jews and Gentiles.

Salvation comes to everyone who believes. Salvation comes to everyone who put their faith and trust in Jesus. Having faith is not a work we do, but a response to God offering grace to our shameful, sinful lives. This salvation, Paul writes, goes first to the Jew then to the Gentile. What Paul means by this is the Jews still have ‘special relevance’ (Moo 1991) to the gospel. The promises that are fulfilled through the gospel were first given to Israel in the holy scriptures.

ASK YOURSELF: Am I ashamed of the gospel? What aspects of the gospel do I not understand the most that prevent me from wanting to share the good news with everyone I meet?

Dear God, please give me courage. Please give me wisdom. Thank you for providing opportunities for me to show love to others through my actions and the sharing of the gospel. May your name be praised in all the choices I make and everything I do. Amen.