Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Romans 1:16-17. Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." What is the “gospel”? Basically, the word means, “good news" and in this case a rather specific kind of “good news”. The only way the sin problem could be solved was through the righteousness of the one who sinned. Since each of us is born in sin, from the human side, there is no solution. The promise that God had made long before in the Scriptures regarding His Son had happened. Jesus, born of a virgin, His Father – God Himself, fulfilled the law in His life and carried our sin by His death and resurrection. The best part of the “good news" is that the righteousness of Christ can become ours through faith in Him and what He has done for us. As Paul puts it, “it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” But why would anyone even consider being ashamed of such powerful good news. It’s all wrapped up in the sin of pride. First of all, it’s hard to admit that we can’t be good enough on our own to make the grade. Secondly, in our complex world with all its technology, and corruption and laws being broken every day, the gospel is saying that all I have to do is believe the “good news” and I receive God’s righteousness. It sounds rather simplistic and dumb. But when you dare to believe and receive what’s been done for you, it changes your life. When Naaman the Leper came to Elisha for healing, he expected some complex ritual. When he was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times, he was insulted. When his servants convinced him to try it, he discovered that as he dipped himself in the river, he was healed. “The righteous shall live by faith." Try it!!