“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”-Romans 1:16

In this verse Paul wasted no time.  He had already established many churches, and had endured countless persecutions. Looking at the life of Paul we can see that he gave up everything to fulfill the mission that Christ had given to him.  He was a Pharisee, who was educated by the prominent Pharisee of his day.  He was also a Roman citizen which had great perks in the ancient world.  Yet he looked at both, who were both persecuting the early church, and said “I’m not ashamed.”

In our lives we have many opportunities to echo these words of Paul.  Are we saying that we are unashamed with our words and lifestyle?  Or are we closet Christians who worship Christ in our homes and churches, but when it is time to live our everyday lives it is business as usual?  Author Brennan Manning states, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”  If we confess Christ then let us strive to live as such.  Today’s verse says that the Gospel has the power of salvation for everyone who believes.  Pray and ask the Lord for the strength to live and proclaim His word.  We have no need to be ashamed.