Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

One of the goals of the devil and those deceived by him is to make Christians ashamed of the Gospel. That is a major element of the “political correctness” business. The moment we start talking about the righteous standards of God, we are accused of “hate speech.” The moment we say that everyone is equal before God, we are accused of “racism.” The moment we state, as the Bible does, that God created us male and female, we are accused of “homophobia.” That sort of thing has probably existed for a long time, but it has really intensified in recent years. (That’s another of the many things that I and many others think point to our being in the Last Days.) In the middle of all this mess, believers have to remember that the Gospel really is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” As the next verse brings out, we can’t talk about the Gospel without talking about righteousness, and that is what people react against so strongly. They don’t want it pointed out that they are unrighteous! The thing is, you won’t receive salvation until you acknowledge you need it. That’s what repentance is all about. “Repent” is considered the vilest of hate speech! Like Paul, we must not bow to this vile nonsense, but keep speaking the truth in love. Failing to communicate the Gospel is not love!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to the local Rotary Club, and I’ve obviously been a bit uptight about it. The notes the Lord had given me quoted Scripture, starting with John 3:16, and I was nervous about how it would be received. As it turned out, everyone seemed to enjoy my remarks and I got a good bit of positive feedback. The devil had been trying to make me ashamed of the Gospel, but thankfully he didn’t succeed! Yesterday I had email and a phone call about a major speaking engagement in December, and I am to be properly prepared for that. At the same time, these “outside” speaking engagements are neither more nor less important than my speaking in this building every Sunday. For that matter, I am always to be prepared for whatever appointments the Lord has for me, because He knows who is ready to hear what He wants to say through me, and when. His appointments don’t necessarily appear in my date book! At the same time, regularly scheduled things, like my school classes, are no less opportunities to be His representative. Thinking things are just “business as usual” is a trap to dull me to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He is totally faithful, so I should be looking forward eagerly to what He is going to do through me next.

Father, thank You for Your power for salvation, for me and for everyone I encounter. Help me not hold back in any way, but allow Your Good News to flow through me unhindered, never fearing the response of people but assured of Your power that is so much greater than my weaknesses, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!