I'm not ashamed of the Gospel

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18

Are you ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).

There are people today who will stand up for the most perverse causes, even risking their lives for some cause they believe in. Are you willing to risk you life for the gospel? Are you even willing to risk embarrassment for the truth of the gospel? It's the power of God unto salvation. There is simple, explosive power in the message of the true gospel.

Be aware that much of what we hear today that is offered as gospel preaching actually is a false gospel. It is a counterfeit version that is close enough to be believable, but far away enough to be damaging. That is why Scripture tells us as believers to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). A false gospel would tell us that all we have to do is believe, but not that we need to repent. A false gospel would tell us there is a heaven, but would not warn us of a hell. That is not the true gospel. Think of repentance and believing as two wings of an airplane - you need both. Or think of repentance and belief as two sides of a coin. They are connected. Believing is grabbing hold of something. Repentance is letting go of something.

Take the time to explain the gospel properly and carefully. And if that turns someone off, then there is nothing you can do about that. Try to present the gospel in the most loving way that you can. But you must be honest. You must be clear. Be faithful to the message and let God do what He will.

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We need to keep both our understanding and our presentation of the gospel true to God's Word. But, like Paul, we must not be ashamed of it.


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From Today's Devotional