Paul writes: 'I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.' This sentence is profound because shame is the implied struggle. Why would Paul need to say he's not ashamed unless he felt pressure to be?
I grew up in a wealthy suburb where Christianity was private, whispered, kept respectable. Talking openly about Jesus was almost embarrassing. You might alienate people at dinner parties. You might be seen as unsophisticated. I carried that shame into adulthood. I'd mention my faith reluctantly, defensively, as if I needed to apologize for it.
Then a coworker noticed my hesitation and asked directly: 'Are you embarrassed about being Christian?' The question hit me. Yes. I was. But Paul's words started to reshape me. The gospel isn't something to apologize for. It's the actual power of God. Transformation happens through it. Lives are saved through it. Who am I to be ashamed of that? I've slowly become more open about my faith. Not pushy. But honest. And I'm discovering that people respect conviction more than silence.
No comments yet. Be the first.