The Gospel Message

 

Romans 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

For preaching the gospel, Paul had been imprisoned, stoned, left for dead, beaten with rods, robbed, starved, suffered in cold, suffered in heat, gone hungry, and he was laughed at.  Yet, here he is, writing to the Romans, saying that he is not ashamed of the gospel.

The very gospel that caused people to react so violently towards him, Paul called “the power of God for salvation to all who believe.”  Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because he knew it to be from God for the benefit of humanity.  

The world rejects the gospel because it is a message of love, mercy, and forgiveness; it is a message of generosity, giving and self-sacrifice; it is a message of peace and unity 

As we glorify our wars, celebrate our greed and selfishness, and make excuses for our hate and vengefulness, remember Paul and the gospel message.

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)