Re: Verse reading–Romans 1:1–17 (day one)
“I am not ashamed of the gospel.”–v 16.
Do you know what shame feels like? I do. Hesitant to say what you think or feel. Worried what people will think. Anxious. Inhibited.
The Bible says that a new sense of self, a new confidence comes to people who are in Christ! On the day of Pentecost, as an effect of being filled with the Holy Ghost, the disciples experienced a confidence they had never dreamed of. (Acts 3:13) God intends this same boldness for us.
In Romans 1, Paul uses a powerful word. Aischuno meant deformed. Epi-aischuno (literally “upon the deformed”) referred to feelings common to people with handicaps, feelings of being inadequate or incapable.
I DON’T feel that, says Paul. Not any more. I am competent in Christ! God loves me and has given me His powerful message. I am NOT ASHAMED!
Do you know this Christ-confidence, this release from fear? You can.
