“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” – Romans 1:16
LIGHT FOR NOW: The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Many Bible teachers describe this famous verse, together with the one which follows, as the central theme of the book of Roman. Paul, in the previous verse, expressed his eagerness to come and preach the gospel in the great, multicultural city of Rome. Now Paul declares boldly that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Perhaps he sensed that some of the believers in Rome were tempted to be ashamed of the gospel about it. There may have been very few believers in Rome. The great truths about Christ seem new and absurd to many people. Believers were being persecuted. It’s one thing to believe the gospel; it’s another thing to take the risk of preaching it to strangers.
Paul will have none of that. The gospel message is nothing less than power from God, for everyone who believes it, to be saved. Anyone, everyone who puts their faith in Christ and his death for their sin on the cross will be justified – will be made right with God – and welcomed into God’s family. If that is all true, and Paul had staked his life on it, then what is there to be ashamed of? Christ is the absolute reality of the gospel, and this reality must form the basis of your convictions: your outlook on life must be from this understanding and persuasion about Christ because He is the gospel. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Preach the gospel of Christ with boldness.
CONFESSION: Father, thank you for the understanding of the gospel of Christ I have, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
QUOTE: It is your understanding that shapes your perception.
DAILY READING: MORNING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 3
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 