No one should ever be ashamed of something valuable. Paul declared, “I AM NOT ashamed of the gospel.” But the question is why he would say this when it is readily apparent that so many others are ashamed?
The Gospel is God's power for salvation. Romans 3:23 educates us that all have sinned and have fallen short of the mark and with further study, we realize that that sin makes us dead to God (Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:1-2).
Paul wasn’t proud of a message, or a lifestyle. He was pleased to preach the Good News that can rectify our lost relationship with our creator.
But notice his wording. Paul say’s “the gospel is God’s power to save.” It does not say the gospel is man’s power to save. Neither does it mean that God is mighty to protect everyone. We quickly realize, in this verse, two principles:
First, man (created in the likeness of God) cannot save himself. The Gospel is God’s power rescue everyone who believes.
Also, notice the emphasis placed on who the gospel has the power to save. There is only one thing God cannot do. God cannot save someone who does not want the free gift of salvation.
The Gospel is not just a sermon. But in it’s most real sense The Gospel is “The Good News.” That Good News is man’s salvation through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
To simplify what Romans 1:16 says, you have to understand that the moment Christ rose from the dead, God then had the power to save all men. The Gospel, or The Good News, is the reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is the Power of God for salvation.
But, this is not where the verse ends. After stating that the gospel is God’s power to save, he specifies who it saves. It first is to everyone who believes. But believing has a requirement. Even the devils knew Jesus was the son of God (James 2:9), but that did not save them. Romans 1:17 reveals that “the righteous shall live by faith,” and Jesus said in Matthew 25:46 that the righteous will go into eternal life.
The Gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes, the righteous who live by faith.
Do you believe The Good News of Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, but have not lived a righteous life? Why don’t you dedicate your life to walking in the Light as He is in the light? (1 John 1:7)
Let your light shine!