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 – Starting the book of Romans and only spending one day per chapter is like trying to see all of Disney world in an hour, you just can’t take it all in! Here though we see such a central passage to not only the chapter but the whole book of Romans. Paul declares he was not ashamed of being connected to the Gospel of Jesus. He was writing to Rome, the world power of the day who condemned Christians and saw them as a plague on their society. Jesus was to the Roman people a failed Jewish teacher who was crucified. Rome was a mecca of sinfulness, the things that Jesus followers were called to cut all ties with. Yet Paul makes it clear upfront that he was unashamed to be connected with Jesus. The Roman people may view Jesus as a failure, they may view Jesus’ teachings as ridiculous, and they may view Jesus’ followers as radical fools, yet Paul boldly proclaimed His devotion still to Jesus. In our culture Jesus isn’t always respected as someone worthwhile to follow. Often Jesus is trashed and His teachings are mocked and those who follow them are looked at as stupid, hate-filled bigots. And even in that sort of space, we know Paul would have confidently stood up and announced He was with Jesus for all to hear. How about you? Does the way the world might think of you hinder you from declaring you follow the ways and person of Jesus? Be unashamed of Jesus and the power of salvation. The escape from the wrath of God on our sin is found in the Jesus this world mocks. Are you willing to let go of how the world thinks of you to declare your allegiance to Jesus? Jesus and His Gospel is worthy to live unashamed of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3424
Question To Ponder: What may be a setting a Christian would be nervous to declare their allegiance to the Lord?
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