Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 14, 2014
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16
Satan sometimes shames seekers when they begin to take God and His Word seriously. The enemy plants seeds of doubt related to intellectual honesty and the fear of being labeled a religious fanatic. The devil wants Jesus believers to be apologetic and embarrassed to live for the Lord, not declaring His teachings as the gospel truth. But, there is no shame in standing up for Christ and His commands. Faith reveals His fame.
Instead, we are to be ashamed of sin and its deplorable outcome, while embracing wise living. Shame enslaves us in our selfish behavior, but we are emancipated by our selfless service to others. Our Savior Jesus does not seek to motivate us out of disgrace; rather He infuses His grace into our inner being for bold initiatives. The good news of salvation in Christ gives us the confidence to love all people. God’s power is shameless.
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
Related Readings: Genesis 2:25; Psalm 25:3; Isaiah 54:4; Romans 6:21; Philippians 1:20
Taken from the September 14th reading in our new book, The Way of Wisdom: A Journey Towards Spiritual Growth, coming in October! Pre-order your copy today.
Boyd’s one minute video about the new book- http://bit.ly/1nhZ2bt
