For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17
The thing that jumped out at me immediately was that Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. He goes on to tell us that the good news is the power of salvation and faith, and therefore live into it.
This begs the question: Is our life something the gospel would be ashamed of?
Let me explain with a personal example. The COVID-Coaster or COVID Umbrella (and some personal stuff concerning my parents) has certainly drained my shields of their power (Star Trek geeks get this reference). Because my shields are compromised, I am having more and more difficulty letting other’s behavior go, and finding that place of grace. Thus, I am edgier, a bit salty, and struggling. I can’t help but feel that the ONE the gospel originates from (42) is not particularly happy with my feelings and behaviors. And I must own it!
Yet, Paul calls out that he is not ashamed of the gospel for exactly this reason; for it is all about the power of God known as grace, and this is good news! It comes “from faith for faith” so that we who receive God’s righteousness must now live it!
I thank you, 42, for putting up with my shenanigans, and forgiving me in-spite of myself.
So how are you doing? Are you on the COVID-Coaster? Are you under the COVID-Umbrella? Are you the perpetrator of misery, or are you struggling with others’ perpetrations which brings out the saltiness in you? Or are you both? The first step is to admit it and own it, and then embrace God’s grace and thank him for putting up with your shenanigans.
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