I Am Not Ashamed

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. Romans 1:16

Well, I am back to the blogging world.  I flit around, in and out, unpredictable.  Ha!  Actually, I gave up in the summer; with my kid home, I felt like I could never find a quiet moment.  Now school has started, our schedule is back in swing, and hopefully I can remain committed to sharing my thoughts as I study His word. 

I will be spending some time with you in Romans.  I've been studying it since June, and - wow!  What a powerful letter!  Paul just blows my mind sometimes!  He's so intellectual, yet so accessible.  I can't wait to have a conversation with him someday (although I may have to say, dumb it down for me, Paul!).

Look at the verse, above.  A phrase we all know pretty well.  I am not ashamed of the gospel.  But then look at the next phrase, the why:  Because it is the power of God.  Let's stop there.

The gospel - in other words, the story of Jesus, of salvation, of grace - is the power of God.  To me, that means that God's power is proclaimed through the message of Jesus.  And that's what Jesus said, too, right?  He said He was here to do His Father's will.  But the amazing thing is that the power of God didn't end when Jesus left earth.

The power of God is proclaimed every time the gospel is read.  Preached.  Heard.  Thought about.  Talked about.  And I don't think it's over reaching to think that the gospel is read, preached, heard, thought about, or talked about - every single second of every single day.  Which then tells me that God's power is moving, every single second of every single day.

Let's look at the next phrase:  that brings salvation to everyone who believes.  What a strong, powerful reminder.  It is GOD who brings salvation.  Not our works.  Not our birthright.  Not our church.  It is GOD, through His SON and His Spirit.  God and God alone brings salvation.

And just to break this down, what is salvation?  Let's make sure we all understand this.  The dictionary definition is, "deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption."  Deliverance.  A new beginning, new start, new life.  

Only God can create life.  And then, He re-creates it.  Through His offer of salvation, through His kindness, mercy, and goodness, through the abundance of love He gives.  

You know, if you really grasp the second part of the verse, this power of God thing, then you truly begin to live the first part.  I am not ashamed.  Nothing can hold me back.  This God, this power, this salvation, is too strong and too much and too EVERYTHING!  I can't keep quiet about it!  

Hope someone is reading.  I'll be spending a lot of time in Romans in the coming weeks.  Love to all.