For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:17
For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Exodus 18:9).
SENT TO THE JEWS (ISRAEL) FIRST
Acts 3:26
"When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
THE POWER OF THE CROSS
1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-24
(18) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Without the mark of the cross (the atoning blood of Christ) and the resurrection (born into a new life in Christ) upon the church (the born again believers who live a Christ-filled life) as a whole, nor without the baptism of The Holy Spirit dwelling within her (Comforter and Guide) and upon her (the power of God), there can be no unity in God's church, Christ's bride.
Hebrews 9:22
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Luke 24:49
And behold, I am sending The Promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
True repentance is an acknowledgement and confession of our sins to God that we may receive His forgiveness. Without repentance (acknowledge sin in my life, confess my sins to God and stop doing those sins) there can be no forgiveness.
Luke 24:47-48
(47) And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
(48) and in His Name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
Romans 4:25
He was delivered over to death (torture and the cross and the grave) for our trespasses (rebellions against God) and was raised to life for our justification (righteousness).
CALLED TO SALVATION THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
Acts 4:11-12
(11) This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
(12) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 5:6
(6) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Acts 10:43
"All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name."
Romans 10:8-10
(8) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
(9) that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
(10) For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
I am not ashamed of being a Christian, a Christ-filled Christ follower. I am not ashamed of His gospel of salvation for it is the power of God saving me, changing me into His reflection, His image. For in the beginning when God created Adam, He created him in His image. And because He created Eve from Adam's rib, she became created in His image, too.
But sin entered in Eve's heart and she doubted the Truth of God's Word, causing her to eat the forbidden fruit, which she then handed off to Adam who also ate of it. Since then sin has reigned upon this earth and each person born has been born with the nature of sin within it. One of the first words we learn is "No", closely followed by a rebellious nature: doing what we want to do instead of doing what is best for us.
But God in His infinite mercy, which He extends to a thousand generations, made a Way for us to be forgiven and saved: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"
I am a whosoever.
WINDS OF WORSHIP 10 - New England Worship Songs - Vineyard Music
NO WAY, WE ARE NOT ASHAMED - Carman
THE JOY - The Belonging Co
