Unashamed of Christ and His Word

Richard Thetford

We read in Romans 1:16, "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." What did Paul mean by the statement "I am not ashamed"? Paul, like all of us, had certainly done things in the past of which he was ashamed. However, he now lived in such a way that he would not be ashamed to face Jesus.

Paul had found the good news of salvation and told it openly--he wasn't ashamed. He wasn't embarrassed to speak of the Christ or to suffer for the faith that he held. He kept on repeating proudly, "Jesus is the Christ!" Paul wasn't disappointed with Christ and His blessings. He trusted in Christ and Christ never forsook him. Paul just kept on proclaiming the good news of the gospel. He was never ashamed to proclaim that message. Paul was never embarrassed to speak the name of Jesus to those who did not know Him. Paul was never disappointed with the one who was His savior and friend.

Are we ever ashamed of the story of Jesus? Do we hold back our confession of Him before men? Will Christ be ashamed of us on that judgment day? Jesus said, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38). 1 Peter 4:16 says, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." Let us unashamedly serve our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.