Week 6, Day 3
Today’s Reading: Romans 3:1-4:25
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
One of the most famous and popular verses in the book of Romans, and perhaps in the Bible is Romans 1:16. This verse is oft quoted, and the idea should be at the forefront of our thoughts as Christians. Think about what Paul is saying in this verse. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. That meant that he would teach the gospel unashamedly, and would not change that message for anything! This is obviously not a common thought among religious people today, and sadly even sometimes among those who are in the Lord’s church. The shame that people have toward the gospel is made manifest in many different ways, but we will just address a couple of them.
First, some will show their shame in the gospel by trying to make changes. They decide that the gospel message just doesn’t fit our society today, so we need to make some subtle (and sometimes some not so subtle) changes. Elements that are simply not accepted by people in the world are cast aside so that we can make more converts. The message of the gospel is watered down to the point that it is nearly unrecognized as that gospel that God revealed in the first century. See Galatians 1:6-9. Paul had to deal with this change to the message in the first century! How often do we hear that elements such as baptism are removed from the gospel plan, simply because people do not want to feel obligated to act in any way to receive the gift of salvation from God? If we make these types of changes to God’s revealed will, then we are obviously ashamed of the gospel message. We could introduce several other examples as well. Consider, for example, the Biblical teaching on women’s roles. God is clear about what He expects for women, which is a teaching that is not limited by the constraints of a particular culture or society. In passages such as 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Paul shows the type of demeanor that a woman must possess to be pleasing to God. That demeanor is required of her, no matter what setting she might find herself in (or put herself in). Further restrictions are found in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, where Paul shows that women are not allowed to take a leading role in the assembly of the church. She is not allowed to address the congregation (even when she had spiritual gifts). We could certainly go on with many more examples, but these will suffice for now. Are we ashamed of the gospel message, making changes to it when we think that it will not “go over well” with the person we are trying to teach? Or do we stick with the plain and simple gospel message, regardless of what the outcome may be?
Secondly, some show their shame of the gospel by being unwilling to stand for truth. There are many who are Christians, who have been baptized into Christ, but refuse to stand up for Christ. They think that it is someone else’s responsibility to correct the gainsayer, or to teach the uninformed. They are not willing to defend Christ when their friends are making fun of “those crazy religious people”, or when the cause of Christ is directly assaulted. This is a problem when false doctrines arise as well. It is easier to “go with the flow” than it is to stand up for what is right. We don’t want to “rock the boat”, so we simply keep our mouths shut. Are we ashamed of the gospel message, or are we willing to take a stand for what is right, for what is true, regardless of what the consequences might be?
Finally, some show their shame of the gospel by trying to hold it to themselves. They have accepted the gospel message, but they do nothing to share it with others. Think about what Paul said next in Romans 1:16: For it is the power of God to salvation. If we really believe that the gospel is the key to salvation, then how can we hold it to ourselves? We don’t have the option of spreading the gospel, we have the obligation! This is the message that can pull people out of sin, and give them the same hope of eternal salvation that we have (Colossians 1:13). How can we say that we are not ashamed of that message if we are unwilling to share it with those that are around us, lost and dying (eternally) in sin?
The gospel is indeed the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes. But, the gospel has to be presented in a way that is accurate to scripture, and clearly enough for every person to have the opportunity to believe. Are you busy spreading this gospel message, so that others can have that same hope of salvation that you have?
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One Comment »
Amy said :
February 19, 2009 at 12:20 pm
These are good thoughts- especially considering that many of us just made the decision to study with three people this year.
I heard on the radio this morning a women talking about how her sister “witnessed” to her and openly, without shame, told her everything about Christ (except baptisim). I asked myself what stops me from sharing that gospel like that? I do my best to live a holy life and let my light shine as an example, so why can’t I pour out my heart, open the Bible, and tell people what Christ did for me, and what He can do for them? Something else to work towards this year.