The Power of the Cross

Romans 1 : 16 – 17, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." –NKJV

 

As we prepare for the day when believers celebrate the resurrection of Christ, let us be mindful of all that Jesus did for us on the cross. Jesus was not ashamed to be seen with sinners and tax collectors. He walked freely among those who were leprous, as He healed them. He didn’t shy away from those whom society had rejected; He reached out to them with compassion. Even when the woman who was found in the act of adultery was brought before Him, Jesus defended her. We can truly say, without question, that Jesus wasn’t ashamed of us when we were sinners.

 

In today’s passages, Paul boldly declared to the church in Rome that he wasn’t ashamed to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why would Paul feel the need to share this with that church? It could be that he had been rejected, ridiculed, beaten, stoned, and imprisoned, by the Jews… all because he preached the gospel of Christ.

 

As a Christian, you will discover that not everyone is as grateful or desirous to hear about the things Christ has done for us, as we are. In fact, Christians are persecuted greater now than at any other time. Literally, hundreds of thousands have been martyred in recent years for their faith in Christ throughout Iraq and Syria, just to name a couple of countries. Even in America, we are witnessing the rise of persecution against Christians, who take a stand for the gospel.

 

It is because of the persecution Paul faced that he boldly stated he was not ashamed to share the gospel of Christ to the Jews first, and also to the gentiles. There is something about spiritual persecution that can cause Christians to become reluctant to share their faith.

 

Let me say this upfront. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to telling others about the saving power of the cross, or of God’s love. If there is anything that we should be ashamed of, it should be the sins that we have committed that sent Jesus to His death on the cross.

 

Instead of being ashamed to share our faith with lost loved-ones and friends, we should be grateful for the opportunity to present the truth to them so that they can come to faith in Jesus. Didn’t someone take a risk and share with you the gospel of Christ and the love that God had for you as a sinner? Shouldn’t we also be willing to take the risk of being rejected like Jesus, Paul, and others, who have spoken the truth to those blinded by sin?

 

When it comes to sharing our faith as Christians, let us remember there is nothing wrong with it. We’re not in error when we love others enough to tell them the truth about sin and God’s love. If there is nothing wrong with sharing the truth, then let us not be ashamed. Stand boldly for your faith, it cost Jesus His life. Jesus paid it all so that we could inherit it all, a blessed life now and eternal life hereafter.

 

Pastor Asa Dockery

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