NOT ASHAMED
“I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God leading everyone who believes in it to salvation.” –Romans 1:16
The Good News, the Gospel, is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe it (Rm 1:16). St. Jerome stated: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (Catechism, 133). Many today are ashamed of the gospel. So the gospel is banned from public schools, workplaces, politically correct environments, secular media, social media, and elsewhere. People are ashamed of the teaching of the gospel in regard to:
- sex as occurring only between one man and one woman in marriage,
- divorce (Mt 5:31-32; 19:3ff),
- poverty and wealth (Lk 6:20; 12:16-21),
- sin and holiness (Mt 5:21-30),
- Jesus alone being the Way to salvation (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12),
- mercy for sinners, “haters,” and enemies (see Lk 15:1-32),
- radical life-giving compassion for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed (Mt 19:21).
These are only a sampling of the challenging teachings of the gospel. Here’s a test to determine whether or not you are ashamed of the gospel. Would you speak up to defend the teachings of the gospel when they are ridiculed at your next office party, school assembly, or public gathering? Consider the words of Jesus: “If a man is ashamed of Me and My doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory” (Lk 9:26). Do you feel ashamed of the gospel? If so, ask Jesus to replace that shame with joy and gladness.
PRAYER: Father, change my heart. May I identify so totally with the Gospel that my face radiates the joy of the Gospel.
PROMISE: “If you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you.” –Lk 11:41
PRAISE: Donald promoted chastity both before and after he married.
