Have you ever said what you thought others want to hear because you might feel embarrassed if you said what you really thought? We have a tendency to say what’s convenient rather than speak our convictions. The Apostle Paul realized the importance of speaking his convictions,

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

The word, ashamed, means to experience a painful feeling or sense of loss of status. This word describes one’s feeling of embarrassment coupled with a fear that prevents people from saying their true thoughts. Paul’s life demonstrated that he was not ashamed of the Gospel as he faced a number of challenges for speaking forth the truth of the Gospel. Paul demonstrated that he was not ashamed of the Gospel,

Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

As Paul followed Jesus, he “despised the shame” and did not lose heart.  He was convinced of his need to preach the Gospel. What is the Gospel? The word literally means “good news”.  Paul gives a brief theological description of the Gospel in his letter to the Corinthians,

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Religion often focuses on man’s search for God, whereas the Gospel is God’s search for man. There are many religions, but one Gospel. The Gospel has the power to grant salvation to those who believe. Salvation is a comprehensive word including the redemptive acts of God including:  justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification.

The Gospel has the power to forgive your sins (past), transform your life by imparting new life (present), and enable you to go to heaven (future). Do you know the power of God? When you know the power of God, you can live your life with conviction and confidence.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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