The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, as I consider again today what it means NOT to be ashamed of the gospel, I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may boldly proclaim the gospel in all that I think, say and do. I pray that I will not shrink from telling my relatives, friends and neighbors about the great salvation that I received from Jesus, when I trusted in Him as my Savior and Lord. I pray that you will fan into flame the desire in my heart to see lost ones come to know You, and that when I think that I am too familiar with a person, or not familiar enough with a person to share the gospel that you will open the way for it to happen! Gracious God, I thank You that You have never given up on me, and I pray that You will guide me to understand that I must not give up on others either, since You want to use me to share the gospel with them. Glorify Yourself in me this day and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:16-17
Romans 1:16-17 NLT
16For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—Jews first and also Gentiles. 17This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
Romans 1:16-17 NIV*
16I 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. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
*Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Romans 1:16-17 MOT**
16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and to the Greek. 12For a righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith, as it has been written: Now the righteous shall live by faith.
**MOT is a literal translation of the Greek New Testament by Dr. Chris E. Marshall
Reflecting on God’s Word
As you look at Romans 1:16-17 in the NIV, compare it to the NLT and see what differences you note? Why do you suppose that the two different sets of translators chose these different ways to translate the same Greek text?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Look at Romans 1:16 in the NIV. What is the most important truth you find there?
The Greek word for power is “dynamis.” It is the word from which we get the English word “dynamite.” What does knowing this do to clarify how Paul uses the word in Romans 1:16?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What does God giving us the power of salvation say about His purpose in our lives?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
God has given us His power for the purpose of bringing salvation to our lives and to others’ lives as well. Look at your list from yesterday. Have you spoken or in any way shared the gospel with any of them yet? Pray again and ask God for the opportunity to share His Good News with one or more of the folks on the list today.
Thoughts - I Am Not Ashamed!
I closed yesterday’s thoughts on not being ashamed of the gospel by saying that we are ready to share the gospel with others as soon as we have received it ourselves. Here in America, Christians often offer reasons for not sharing the gospel with others—“I’m not equipped,” “I don’t want to offend people,” I’m not an evangelist,” the list goes on and on. The reality is that just as the woman in China who received Jesus and then went home and told her roommate about Him, we can do the same. Jesus DOES want us to know His word, and to be responsible in sharing the gospel with others, but what He wants even more is a heart and passion for the gospel we have received! Jesus wants us to proclaim with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” When we receive the gospel—that is when we receive it into our lives, not just as a great idea, or as a theological truth, but as a reality—that we were dead in sin, and Jesus saved us from that through His death on the cross, then a burden comes to share that reality—that salvation with others. Far from worrying about offending others, we ought to be concerned that they will leave this life without responding to the gospel, which is the only way to spend eternity with God. If we believe that Jesus’ words are true—then any shame or fear of them is swallowed up in our concern for the lost. Rick Warren has said that when we decide that we aren’t going to invite others to church, or that we aren’t going to tell our co-workers or classmates about Jesus we are saying, “Go to hell!” When put like that it sounds harsh, but think about it for a moment and you’ll see that it’s true. We who know the gospel, who have received it into our lives KNOW that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to God the Father except through Him. That’s the gospel, and until and unless we get over our shame and fear, folks we know and love aren’t going to hear it. That is NOT an option. Take the bold step of telling someone SOMETHING about Jesus today—what He has done in your life, how He is the only solution to life’s deepest need—salvation. Trust that God WILL be faithful in your life, as you are faithful to Him!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work. Romans 1:16a