Ashamed of the Gospel, by Daniel Carnes

The Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write some awesome statements.One of them is in the opening chapter of his letter to the believers in Rome(often called Romans). “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone that believes: first to the Jew,then to the Gentile.For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed…a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,just as it is written:The righteous will live by faith,” (Romans1:16-17). So,Paul is saying that God is all powerful…so powerful that He can deliver us from sin,and save us from death.He says a really interesting thing about the Gospel that you may have never heard about…the righteousness of God.Paul wrote that “in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed”…I’d like to share with you another statement God inspired Paul to write about Jesus in Romans chapter 4: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification”(Romans4:25).So,people rightfully claim that the Gospel is “the death,burial,and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” but we often hear only how Jesus went to the cross because of our sin.We don’t hear enough about the resurrection.Friends,God raised Him from the dead for our justification. The word justification means to justify,or to claim justice on behalf of a person,or to make righteous.When people make excuses for something,they are trying to justify themselves,and say they were righteous in what they said or did.As if they shouldn’t be judged,or held accountable.Friends,we cannot justify ourselves before Almighty God,Who is righteous,and demands righteousness… this is what the grace of God is all about.”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,so that whoever believes in Him will not perish,but have eternal life”(John3:16).God gave Jesus for our sins,so that we could be made sinless…righteous.It is a free gift that we take by faith.That’s what the phrase”the just shall live by faith”,or”the righteous shall live by faith” means.When we put our faith in Jesus,God declares us not guilty of sin,but righteous,and therefore we live, eternally.This is the Gospel! I’ve heard so many “preachers of the gospel,” but I rarely hear the Gospel being preached.Friends, God doesn’t want you to try to earn your way to Heaven. It would be impossible.Even after you believe in Jesus,it is not up to you to earn your way into heaven. It will always be impossible.If you believe in Jesus,you are already guaranteed entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. You may have heard that God is angry,and wishes to pour out His wrath and judgement. Friends,the Bible says God is SLOW to anger,and FULL of compassion.He sees you right where you are,and He loves you,just as you are. And what I can tell you from personal experience with God,is that His righteousness changed me.I was powerless to change certain things about myself.I tried and tried,but returned to my same old ways.When it hit me deep down in my heart that God loved me,and had declared me sinless and righteous,the power of sin was broken!! I was set free from the curse,and the power of sin and death.How?Because Paul told us that in the Gospel,the righteousness of God is revealed,and the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation,deliverance, and rescue! What am I saying,that I’m perfect?No,but Jesus is! Am I righteous?In declare that I am the righteousness of God Himself,in Christ. There are a lot of “ministers” out there preaching and teaching all sorts of things… Christian counseling,7 steps to this,that,or the other.I am declaring the Gospel! Like Paul,I’ve come to know its power,which is the power of Almighty God Himself.Its power is righteousness! And God, being ever so loving and kind,has offered it to you as a free gift! I encourage everyone reading this to trust Jesus for your salvation,and to believe that you are righteous in Christ! God will begin to work in your life like you’ve always dreamed He would,friends.You’ll understand that its about Jesus,and NOT about us.Its not about our puny mistakes,its about our AWESOME God! If you focus on yourself and trying to get it right all the time,you will get burned out.If you’re honest,you’ll admit that.I’m telling you,when you focus on Him, His love,and the fact that He sees you righteous,doors will begin yo open that seemed shut.You won’t wonder if your prayers are heard,you will know,and trust,and be confident,and believe that God loves you and always hears you, just like Jesus! It is such a relief to know that I don’t have to perform for God, but that I have peace with God.How do I know?Its Romans 5:1,”Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Friends,I pray you trust Jesus today for your salvation… let His finished work be what you present to God,not your own excuses.I say this lovingly,and kindly to you.Please,receive God’s gift today, and begin to live out a peaceful life of love and security.If you believe God raised Jesus from the dead,simply say,”Jesus,you are my Lord,” and you will be saved. Romans 10:9-10 declares,”If you declare with your mouth,Jesus is Lord,and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,you will be saved.For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified(made righteous), and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” My friends,its that simple! God made it as simple as it could be for you.Why?Because He loves you.The Creator of this universe wants to spend all eternity with you,because He loves everything about you.Won’t you take Him up on His offer?I hope to see you in Heaven.May God multiply love and grace in your life,in Jesus’ name.Amen.

Ashamed of the Gospel (part 2)

Daniel Carnes
DOC #a404-171