January 10, 2018

Unashamed Till I Flatline

Romans 1:16–17

Cooper Wagner
Wednesday's Devo

January 10, 2018

Wednesday's Devo

January 10, 2018

Central Truth

We have to live unashamed lives. 

Romans 1:16–17

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, 1 1:17 Or beginning and ending in faith as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 2 1:17 Or The one who by faith is righteous shall live

Footnotes

[1] 1:17 Or beginning and ending in faith
[2] 1:17 Or The one who by faith is righteous shall live

Dive Deeper | Romans 1:16–17

Romans 1:16-17 falls in the midst of the longest and most theologically profound letter Paul ever wrote. Romans is an argument for the gospel, a mission and message Paul had given his life to. In this passage, Paul is declaring that he is unashamed of the gospel. In fact, he knows it to be the power of God for the salvation of all men (Romans 1:16).

What Paul writes here in Romans, he exemplifies throughout his life on earth and recounts in other Scriptures. (See Acts 20:27; Philippians 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:10.)

We should live unashamed, for the gospel is the love of God for the salvation of all men. In the gospel, we are confronted with God’s holiness and our unholiness, His righteousness and our unrighteousness. In it, we are saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God Himself. By our faith, we are made righteous in Christ and reconciled to God. It is the best news any man can hear, and it's the best news any man can share.

One of my favorite things in the world is music. I like everything from Shane & Shane (shout out) to rap. One of my favorite groups is the 116 Clique, a perfect mix of "the Shanes" and rap, if there could be such a thing. The members call their group the 116 Clique because of Romans 1:16, and the group's goal is to make music for God and about God in an industry that is anything but welcoming.

We can learn from the 116 Clique and Paul. With news as good as the reconciliation of men to God, we should strive in everything to give the glory to God and share the message with others, regardless of the culture. There has never been a time when our faith has been more maligned, and my guess is it will only get worse.

Follow the example of Paul, the 116 Clique, and Christ: live unashamed for what is good and true. You hold the message of life-changing truth in your hands. Share it till you flatline.

This month's memory verse

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

– Romans 6:23

Discussion Questions

1. When was the last time you shared the gospel?

2. Are there any areas of your life in which you think you could live more unashamed?

3. Do you have an inclination to share the gospel more with a certain type of person?

4. If you answered yes to question 3, where in today's passage can you see a flaw in this inclination?