Give Me Faith

"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. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith,'"
(Romans 1:16-17 NIV).

I often choose silence when faced with the opportunity to share the gospel.  I make a conscious decision to ignore the fact that eternity is at stake. Why do my lips remained sealed? What am I afraid of?

The dictionary defines 'ashamed' as: unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule, or disapproval.

I am ashamed of the gospel, or at least that is the message conveyed through my actions, or rather, lack thereof. I freeze. I remain silent. I try to hide. I avoid the situation. I search for a way out. I am afraid. I don't understand why. Why am I fixated on the views and opinions of other people? I should be empowered and encouraged, but instead I am timid and disheartened. God, break my heart for the lost.

The stakes are high. Paul states, "it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." It is the power of God. Let me say that again, it is the power of God. It doesn't end there. It gets better. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. It's not about me. It's not about my fear. It's not about my anxiety. It's all about God's plan of redemption.

Give me shame. Give me ridicule. Give me disapproval.

I need to put it in perspective, a moment of discomfort in exchange for an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ; that is worthy dying for. God, give me words to speak.

I need to relinquish control.  I need to embrace strength, courage, and confidence—the products of knowing how my story ends. I have already won. Paul makes reference to the book of Habakkuk (2:4) in the final verse (v.17), "The righteous will live by faith." I desperately need to do the same.

We desperately need to do the same.