This seems like an odd thing for a Christian to say he is not ashamed of the gospel but is it really? How often do we feel uncomfortable in our faith? We are surrounded by a culture that thinks the gospel story is a fairy tale and anyone who believes it is cracked. It can be uncomfortable to live a gospel-centered life. Sometimes we may be tempted to downplay our devotion to Jesus in order to “fit in.”
Paul lived in a world that was very similar to ours. The Jews thought the idea of a Messiah who was crucified was offensive. The Greeks thought that the idea God has raised anyone from the dead and brought about universal salvation was just silly. Yet Paul was never deterred from preaching the gospel exactly as he had received it. He didn’t try to explain it away to make it seem more reasonable. He trusted that if he told the story God would make it effective.
So there is this idea that salvation comes from trusting that this preposterous story is really true. What Paul knew and what we also must know is that the ability to believe is a gift from God, and that our part in our salvation is to publicly trust God’s promises. That’s what it means to live a life of faith, and it’s not easy. Join us this Sunday May 27, 2012 at 11:00AM at the Rock Presbyterian Church 6910-B Miramar Rd., San Diego, CA 92121 as we consider what Paul means when he writes “the righteous shall live by faith.”
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