I was reading in Romans 1 when I came to verse 16. Anyone who has grown up in the church has probably heard this verse a hundred times and I am no exception. I am pretty sure I even recited it from memory to adults on multiple occasions when I was a kid. However, I had never really taken the time to think about what it means to be unashamed. Romans 1:16 says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."
Tonight as I read this verse, I began to think about the apostle Paul and what unashamed looked like in his life. Paul was imprisoned, run out of town, called a fool, and even stoned. However, despite all of this he refused to stop preaching truth to anyone who would listen. He didn't care what the consequences might be. As I think about how this applies to my own life I have to ask myself: am I really unashamed? If I am unashamed doesn't that mean I tell everyone I know about what Christ has done for me? So why do I remain silent? Well, to be honest, I let the fear of rejection keep me from speaking up. I think this is something that a lot of believers struggle with, but why? Psalm 118:6 says "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Romans 8:31 says "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" The God of the universe is on my side! He is on your side if you have put your faith and trust in him as Savior! Fear is not a good enough reason not to share. I pray that God will give me the courage to be bold and share truth with those He has put in my path.
