No Shame!

We might shy away from telling bad news, though there are some in this world who seem to love spreading it. However, when it comes to GOOD NEWS don’t we generally get excited and can’t wait to tell others? Sometimes bad news needs to be shared, but with the way things seem to be going in this world in which we live, can’t we all use some GOOD NEWS?

In the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he unequivocally declared…
“(16) 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. (17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” ( Romans 1:16-17 ESV)

Someone has stated, “Reckon him a Christian indeed who is not ashamed of the gospel nor a shame to it.” [source: “sentence sermons”] Consider for a moment those two connections of shame and what our life makes evident. Are we ashamed to talk to others about the gospel (GOOD NEWS) of Jesus or do we feel privileged to have opportunities to share it? Do the actions of our life bring shame to this GOOD NEWS of Jesus or do our actions glorify it by revealing how TRULY GOOD it is to be lived by?

Reading about the life of Paul in Acts and considering the statements he made in each of his letters, it is not hard to see how much Paul was not only unashamed of the gospel he boldly proclaimed, but how he also exemplified that teaching in his daily life. The way Paul lived clearly revealed how GOOD that NEWS was (is) and the difference it made in his life for the present and his hope for eternity. The manner in which Paul lived the message helped what he taught to be more believable because by his whole being its GOODNESS was made evident. His life glorified Christ and the message of Christ in a number of ways. His steadfast faith revealed it was a message containing promises that could unwaveringly be counted on. (i.e. 2 Tim.1:12) Paul’s actions demonstrated the wisdom of living according to the Lord’s Will. (note 1 Corinthians 1:24 & 30) His life revealed how in spite of weakness, God’s power was sufficient to work in and through him. (i.e. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) The GOOD NEWS was SO GOOD to Paul that even in all his afflictions he still had an overflowing joy. ( 2 Corinthians 7:4) His endurance through the challenges of life revealed the GOOD NEWS of Jesus as being worth living for as well as dying for!

Encouraged by the prayers of the saints at Philippi, Paul stated…
“(20) as it is my eager expectation and hope that I WILL NOT BE AT ALL ASHAMED, but that with full courage NOW AS ALWAYS CHRIST WILL BE HONORED IN MY BODY, WHETHER BY LIFE OR BY DEATH. (21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” ( Philippians 1:20-21 ESV)

Truly, Paul’s life demonstrated no shame for the message and brought no shame to it. It was not just GOOD NEWS, but the best news Paul had accepted and so he eagerly shared it and lived so that its HOLY GOODNESS could be seen. May we also unashamedly share the GOOD NEWS with others while at the same time striving to live its GOODNESS in our daily life. Such consistency will help others see how desirable this GOOD NEWS is and how beneficial it will be when accepted.

Have a great day SEEN AS A CHRISTIAN INDEED!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Living