Not Ashamed

Date: July 10, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: "Dear Heavenly Father, as I come before You, open my heart to Your Word and Your message through this verse. Help me to understand the power of the gospel and how it brings salvation to all who believe. May Your truth resonate in my spirit and inspire me to live boldly for You. In Jesus' name, amen."

E - Explore the History and Meaning: The book of Romans was written by the apostle Paul, addressing the believers in Rome. It is a wide-ranging letter that explains the core doctrines of the Christian faith and emphasizes the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul declares his unwavering confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He proclaims that he is not ashamed of it because it carries the power of God for salvation. This power is accessible to everyone who believes, irrespective of their background or ethnicity.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: 

Not ashamed: It signifies a boldness and confidence in proclaiming and living out the gospel, even in the face of opposition or ridicule.

Gospel: Refers to the good news of Jesus Christ, His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation offered through faith in Him.

Power of God: Describes the supernatural ability and transformative impact of the gospel in bringing salvation and eternal life.

Salvation: The deliverance from sin, guilt, and the consequences of sin, obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.

S - Summarize and Share:

The gospel, which is the good news about Jesus and His saving work, holds such amazing power. It's not just some religious stuff, but it's God's supernatural power at work. When we put our trust in Jesus, His power brings us freedom and salvation.

And the best part is that this freedom is available to everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from. It's not restricted to a specific group of people. God's love and salvation are for all of us!

Do not be ashamed of this life-changing message. Embrace it and let it transform your life. Allow the power of the gospel to set you free from sin, guilt, and all the things that hold you back. You are no longer defined by your past or your mistakes. In Christ, you have a fresh start and a new identity.

When we fully understand and experience the freedom in Christ, it changes everything. We're no longer bound by fear or the need to please others. Instead, we can live authentically, knowing that we are loved and accepted by God. His power empowers us to walk in righteousness and make a positive impact in the world.

And the best part? We have the privilege to share this incredible news with others. We can tell our friends, our families, and even strangers about the life-transforming power of Jesus. We can invite them to experience the freedom and salvation that we have found in Him.

So, let's live unashamed of the gospel. Let's embrace our freedom in Christ and share it with those around us. As we do, we'll see lives changed, hearts touched, and a ripple effect of God's love and grace.

Bible Cross References

Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

1 Corinthians 1:18 - "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."

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

2 Timothy 1:7-8 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord."