Passage: Romans 1:16
The Big Idea
Romans 1:16 is Paul’s bold declaration of confidence in the good news. He is not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the very power of God to save everyone who believes.
116
There is a group of Christian rappers who call themselves 116. The name comes from this verse. They believe in Jesus and aren’t afraid to talk about it.
That is the heart of Romans 1:16. And here is something amazing: Jesus was not ashamed to call us His brothers (Hebrews 2:11), and we are wild. Because of His work on my behalf, His death on the cross, I can claim Him just as He has claimed me.
Read: Romans 1:16
“I am not ashamed”
Look at what Paul had been through by the time he wrote this:
- Imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:23-24)
- Chased out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
- Smuggled out of Berea (Acts 17:10-15)
- Sneered at in Athens (Acts 17:32)
- Regarded as a fool in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23)
- Stoned in Galatia (Acts 14:19)
And still Paul was eager to preach the gospel. Ridicule, criticism and persecution could not intimidate him. The glory of God’s life-giving message to a dying world filled his soul.
Charles Spurgeon put it this way: when we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize. There is nothing in the gospel to be ashamed of.
Why the world rejects the gospel
- It’s too narrow. Jesus is the only name that saves (Acts 4:12).
- It goes against my pride. I have to humble myself and ask for grace.
- It goes against my will. I want to do what I want, not what God wants.
- It requires faith. “I will never trust anyone but myself.”
- It seems too simple. “There has to be more to do than just believe!”
But for anyone who knows they need saving, it is the only salvation that actually works. That is anyone who is honest about their sin, who knows they are not perfect, who sees how the Law condemns us all. Basically anyone who has actually read the Ten Commandments.
“The power of God to salvation”
All by grace. All by God’s power. For everyone who believes.
Salvation has three tenses:
| Past | Present | Future | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Justification | Sanctification | Glorification |
| I can say | “I have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8-9) | “I am being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18) | “I will be saved” (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9) |
| What it is | Spiritual birth | Spiritual growth | Spiritual perfection |
| What it shows | How God sees us in Christ | How saints live day to day | What saints will be in glory |
| In holiness | Perfect standing | Daily growth | Final likeness to the Holy One |
All three are the power of God. He saved you, He is growing you, and He will finish what He started (Philippians 1:6).
Grace Takeaway
You don’t need to be ashamed of the gospel, because the gospel is not about how well you perform. It is God’s power to save, from start to finish. Jesus was not ashamed of you. You can boldly claim Him.
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