OCT 22

Romans 1:14-17
Memorise Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…”

In fulfilling God’s call for him to preach the gospel, Paul had gone through unimaginable hardships. The Jews had cast him off and regarded him as an apostate. They together with the Gentiles persecuted him, and he was often driven from place to place, from town to town. Like many Christians who suffered thus, he was regarded as “the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things” (1 Corinthians 4:13). But Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. He was so firmly convicted of its value and its truth that he soldiered on and continued to evangelize with unwavering and undiminishing zeal.

It is right for us to feel ashamed of our foolishness and wrongdoings. We ought to feel ashamed if we commit a crime or sin against God. But the gospel of God? It is the precious good news that assure us that sin will be pardoned, and the soul saved. Paul saw it as such and he firmly believed that they who believed on Christ should not be ashamed of the gospel. He regarded this gospel of Christ to be the eternally good news of hope. He was ready to preach this glorious hope to Rome, the rich and powerful capital of the world at that time.

Where did Paul’s confidence in preaching the gospel come from? Was it because of his own courage, or his own abilities? Certainly not. He shared that he had the boldness to be ‘not ashamed’ of the gospel of Christ, because he knew that it was the power of God unto salvation. It was God who would work in the heart of the listeners, and it had nothing to do with his own eloquence or ability.

Dear teen, the saving power is not in us. It is in the message entrusted to us. Our role is to proclaim it faithfully. Its power will then work on the hearers, to the conversion of sinners and salvation of souls. Hearers who mock the gospel message are foolish. Hearers who take heed, humble themselves and believe the gospel message will experience the power of God unto salvation. Witness and evangelize with every confidence, knowing that the power of God will work in the lives of your hearers!

Thought: The gospel of Jesus Christ can turn a sinner into a saint!
Prayer: Lord, grant me a love for souls that I may pray and witness faithfully for Thee.