Be Not Ashamed of the Gospel

 What does it mean to be ashamed of something? Merriam-Webster defines it as feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace + reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment. Ask yourself, the next time you are prompted by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel with that neighbor, “Am I reluctant because I am ashamed of the Gospel?” You will be tempted to say, “I am not ashamed, I am just fearful.” However, you then must ask yourself what are you fearful of? Inevitably you will realize the fear comes from shame. The root of shame is found in a need for approval. Therefore, when you shrink from your responsibility to share the Good News you are placing the approval of man above the approval of your Heavenly Father.

Paul said, “So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome” (Rom 1:15). He said this because he understood the Gospel is the power of God. “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” (Rom 1:16).

Paul had no self-imposed quota he needed to fulfill. He understood and rested in the fact that salvation was entirely depended upon the grace of God and not any human skill. His role and yours is to preach the truth in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). The modern church has developed countless programs to help believers share their faith--some good, most bad. Instead of seeking a program, you might find that praying for God to open the hearts of those you encounter will create more opportunities and bolster your courage. 

It is the power of God that is needed. When the truth is presented to the prepared heart accompanied by God’s saving grace lives will be changed. Remember what Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1Co 3:6-8). So, don’t worry about outcomes, just be faithful. God will cause growth; and never be ashamed of the truth. Sharing the Gospel is the most loving thing you can do. Remember, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (Joh 15:13).

Not only did Paul understand the Gospel was the power of God for salvation; he also understood where that power was displayed. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" (Rom 1:17). Your greatest need is to be found righteous on the day of judgment. The problem is “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” (Isa 64:6). You need Christ’s righteousness to be imputed to your account. That is why Paul said, “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith” (Php 3:8-9).

The Gospel spotlights the sinfulness of man and the righteousness of God. Man is hopelessly depraved, but salvation is available by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). The Gospel reveals this truth. God is righteous in sending unrepentant sinners to hell for their unbelief, and righteous in saving repentant, faithful sinners for their faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

Therefore, Paul was eager to preach this Good News to everyone. He understood the lost man’s desperate situation. Without the Gospel men are doomed because “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17b) “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher” (Rom 10:14)? So you see your role is critical. Yes, you may say, “if these become silent, the stones will cry out” (Luk 19:40b)! However, your responsibility is not diminished.

Therefore, do not be ashamed of the Gospel. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mar 8:38). Instead of fearing what people will think, concentrate on what your Heavenly Father thinks. For He says, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS” (Rom 10:15).