DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

PROCLAMATION

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from the first to the last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ ”  Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

The Bible Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Paul begins this epistle by explaining who he is, why he is writing this letter, and to whom he is writing it. (Romans 1:1-7)  After stating that he longs to see them in person, (Romans 1:8-13) and to preach to them. (Romans 1:15)  He then states that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus, The Christ.  Then Paul goes on to explain why mankind needs the gospel and he proceeds to list the sinful behaviors of mankind. (Romans 1:18-32)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible Book of Romans is frequently referred to as “The Roman road to salvation” because it clearly presents what it takes for a person to be saved.  Believers are encouraged to first read this book and The Bible Book of John as they begin Christian walk.  Here, Paul makes it clear that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus, The Christ.  He explains that in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.  This is something that we should know and that we should tell others.  We should also be aware of the fact that Jesus, The Christ, said, “If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)  We do not want Him to say to us, “Depart from me …” (Matthew 7:22-23)  Where ever we are, we should also be able to boldly state, “I am a believer in Jesus, The Christ, and I am not ashamed of the gospel.”  The gospel has the power of God unto salvation.

 

STUDY THE WORD OF GOD

Proclamation:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)  In The New International Version (NIV) of The Bible this verse reads: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in a letter to his young protégé, Timothy, to encourage him to study The Word of God.   A believer should not be ashamed of God's Word.  He said that study was necessary to correctly interpret The Word of God.

Application:

Reading The Word of God is good and it is good for us. (Revelation 1:3)  Studying The Word of God is even better because it improves our understanding and, when it is done prayerfully, it increases our knowledge and wisdom.   When we know more about The Lord God, and what He intended for us to do, we would be much more likely to live by His Word. (2 Peter 2:21)  We should not be ashamed to be seen reading and studying The Word of God.  As believers we ought to do both, read and study, much more often than we do.  Hopefully my Bible Based Life Lessons will increase the reader’s knowledge and understanding of God’s Holy Word and hopefully also stimulate and encourage more Bible reading and study.

Study The Word Of God

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in a letter to his young protege, Timothy, to encourage him to study The Word of God.   A believer should not be ashamed of God's Word.  He said that study was necessary to correctly interpret The Word of God.

Reading The Word of God is good.   Studying The Word of God is even better,  because it improves one's understanding and, when it is done prayerfully, it increases one's knowledge and wisdom.   When we know more about The Lord God, and what He intended for us to do,  we would be much more likely to live by His Word.   We should not be ashamed to be seen reading and studying The Word of God, and we ought to do both much more often than we do.