I’m Not Ashamed of the Gospel or My Faith
The world seems to have gone half mad. Sadly, the madness often surrounds the foundations of the Christian faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Like the ridicule of Christian values.
Or, questioning spiritual and biblical principles like the Good News as valid or relevant or relatable in present culture.
So I sometimes receive negative remarks on social media about my Christian beliefs.
Still, I am not ashamed of the gospel, the firm foundation of my faith.
But why and how do we remain unashamed of the gospel?
With these Christian foundations to our faith.
1.) Gospel Foundation: The Bible and its Truth
“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.” Romans 1:16 (ESV)
Not only does God’s Word recount the gospel story, but its very foundation lies in Truth. Disciples of Jesus remain unashamed of the gospel and the Bible and Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
The Bible supports our beliefs, helps us live out our faith, and aids with godly living.
So, the more we are in God’s Word, the more we do the right thing…the godly thing…the Jesus thing, and do it all more often. And the more we are not ashamed.
The more we are in God’s Word, the more we do the right thing…the godly thing…the Jesus thing, and do it all more often. And the more we are not ashamed. Click To TweetIn John 17, Jesus prayed over His disciples.
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (verses 14 & 17, ESV)
2.) Faith Foundation: Redemption and its Story
On a social media post about a speaking event where I shared my redemption story to women, and mentioned sharing my story the next morning at a middle school huddle with FCA, Fellowship of Christian Atheltes, one commenter said this.
“Do you share stories about the most effective ways you’ve found to brainwash kids with religious cult dogma?”
But here’s the truth: There’s nothing religious or cultish about God’s redemption story.
As I arrived at the school, the P.E. teacher and coach conveyed how most of the kids do not go to church.
And I heard the story of one young girl in Foster Care. She always comes to FCA, and asks the coach and others to pray a Christian family adopts her and takes her to church.
And this is so like our God; the Lord already moved in my heart the night before to change the original message I planned to share.
Instead, I told my story: the absence of my father in part of my childhood, when he came back as an atheist, how I personally met Jesus Christ at sixteen and so did my father sixteen years later.
And I shared about God’s redeeming grace—the gospel.
I prayed each of the students already knew Jesus Christ as Lord, accepted Him as Lord that day, or will come to know Him.
Because one of the beautiful aspects of God’s redeeming grace, the gospel, is how it meets us where we are, not where we think we should be.
Your past and present don’t matter or how your life has turned out so far.
One of the beautiful aspects of God’s redeeming grace, the gospel, is how it meets us where we are, not where we think we should be. Click To Tweet“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” Psalm 107:2 ( NIV)
3.) Gospel Foundation: Jesus and His Blood
Although sin separated us from God, Jesus made a way to God through His blood, the gift of salvation.
Oh the blood that flowed through Immanuel’s veins and spilled on Calvary’s cross. It cleanses our sins, gives us new life, and a new heart—a triple bypass from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Redeemed by His blood, set free by His blood, and adopted into God’s family by His blood.
And the blood of Jesus will never lose its power. God is mighty to save. (Zephaniah 3:17)
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
“And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24 (NIV)
Watch the video of my redemption story at the end of my home page.
I am not ashamed of the gospel: of the Bible and its truth, redemption and its story, or Jesus and His blood. Click To Tweet
Good News
Which foundation spoke to you the most? Or, share your story of accepting the Good News or a time you remained unashamed of the gospel.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Candidly Christian and Faith On Fire.
© 2021 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
I loved you story, Karen. It saddens me that people think like the one who commented on your post. But I love how you shared your own testimony—your own story. No one can argue with sharing with your own experience, and real stories are powerfully able to reach people like no preaching can. I am inspired today. Thank you.
Ashley, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. So true, no one can take our personal testimony of redeeming grace away from us or debate what God has done in our lives! “…and real stories are powerfully able to reach people like no preaching can.” Amen!
I’ve been there, too! And I’m so sorry for what you’ve experienced. You are right: We CANNOT be ashamed of our faith. Our faith is the truth, our sustaining hope, and the only real path to eternity. It’s also a gift we can share. Your words truly bless me so much. I so appreciate you.
Jessica, I appreciate you, too. Like how you said, “Our faith is the truth, our sustaining hope, and the only real path to eternity. It’s also a gift we can share.” “And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24 (NIV)
We must never be ashamed of the Gospel, Karen, but declare the truth of God boldly to all who will listen. I love the story of your experience at FCA, too. Oh, how God can use us mightily when we submit to His will and His ways.
Blessings!
Martha, I love working with FCA. It’s a foot in the door to public schools with the gospel message. “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.” Romans 1:16 (ESV)
This would be a good “me too” movement to say I will never be ashamed of my faith or the Gospel
I hadn’t thought of that, Yvonne, but so true. What a great movement indeed! “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” Psalm 107:2 ( NIV)
I will never apologize for my Christian beliefs and speaking Truth. Great post, Karen.
Hallelujah! Disciples of Jesus remain unashamed of the gospel and the Bible and Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
I love all the foundations mentioned, Karen. My heart broke for the girl in foster care longing for a family to take her to church. We have two adopted grandsons and I often wonder what might have happened if they’d stayed in the orphanage in Uganda and in local foster care. To be adopted into God’s family should always stir a sense of awe in our hearts. Thank you for unashamedly sharing God’s truth. As days grow darker, we must reflect God’s love and character in all we say and do, no matter what.
Cathy, my heart also broke for her and pray for her often. Her name is Leah if you want to pray over her. How wonderful and blessed to have grandsons from Uganda. And, agree, so thankful to be adopted into God’s family as a daughter of the Almighty. Never fatherless again. May we stay unashamed to help others find their way into the family of God.
A hundred “Amens” Ms. Karen. We must not cave to peer pressure; we must not give into “social convention”, “cancel culture”, or whatever other new terms Satan comes up with. We MUST #StandUpForChrist. I often think of how each time we back down from defending our faith, each time we choose to “soft-peddle” our faith rather than boldly claim the Gospel of Christ, we wound our faith and dishonor our Father. The price paid for our salvation; the victory won for us, should never be discounted, discouraged, and dishonored. We must Stand Strong and united as the body of Christ. Until we do this, the testimony of the body as a whole can be rightly discounted. Amen ma’am. Thank you for this important word!
Agree, J.D. The term “soft-peddle” sounds so polar opposite to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For to boldly proclaim it is what disciples are called to do. Even the gates of hell can’t stand against the blood of the Lamb or the testimony of His saints! Thanks for how you expressed these thoughts, “The price paid for our salvation; the victory won for us, should never be discounted, discouraged, and dishonored.” Yes!
Karen,
Love your writing. Amen that we as Christians must stand up for our beliefs in Jesus Christ. Times will only get harder, but we must be in His Word and be discerning. Love the triple bypass! Thank you for the encouragement. Carla
Carla, thanks so much. All glory to God Almigthy for using my words for His kingdom. Let’s stand for Christ, unashamed of the gospel, the Word, and the blood of the Lamb.
One thousand amens, Karen!
Such meat and potatoes in this post.
Thank you for your courage to stand up for the gospel. I’m standing with you, dear sister in Christ!
Keep writing, keep speaking, and keep shining that light!
Thank you, Beckie. I always appreciate your kind words of encouragement. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
Well done, good and faithful servant! You’re doing exactly what God called you to do, exactly what we were each encouraged and instructed to do as believers. The story you shared about changing your message and it ending up being EXACTLY what was needed occurs over and over when we’re faithful to share the Gospel. It always astonished me when I did prison ministry how that happened so many times. God took the message I had planned, and detoured us off to what ended up being exactly what the women needed. The Holy Spirit knows, and those experiences teach us to not only trust him, but to remember that he is entirely in charge every second of every minute we spend telling people about Jesus. We must simply pay attention to his leading and follow it. Keep it up, sister!
Melinda, indeed the Holy Spirit knows how to direct our words to touch hearts. Thanks for sharing your experience in prison ministry. Love this, “he is entirely in charge every second of every minute we spend telling people about Jesus. We must simply pay attention to his leading and follow it.” Yes!!!
Holy Spirit, come lead us. Speak through us as we testify of Jesus and His redeeming blood. Use us as we share our story of redemption.
Sigh. Yes, our culture does indeed seem to have lost its collective mind.
And it appears things will continue to deteriorate, which makes it even more critical for us to understand the solid foundations of our faith!
Ava, may we stand unashamed in the misdt of the madness.
I hope that I will shine the light and love of Christ in all my words and actions. Yes, I fail at times. But, God… He picks me back up and helps me continue sharing my faith. Hallelujah!
Yes, we all fail, but the Lord continues to use us for His kingdom work. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
Karen, this is a powerful post! It actually breaks my heart to hear someone speak so disparagingly about our Savior and our faith in Him. But then, when I read how that was contrasted by the young girl in foster care who needed your story to buoy her heart, oh we see how God keeps working, despite those who reject Him. God’s Word will stand and every knee will bow before Jesus Christ. Praying more hearts turn to Him today. May God continue to bless and use you mightily for His kingdom!
It breaks my heart too, Melissa. And that comment was certainly not the worst thing that’s been said about our Lord and Savior. It was more directed at me, while some comments were blasphemous and desrespectful to God Almighty. Sad really, these people are so blinded to the truth and in the clutches of the evil one’s deception! I pray we all work together to expose the darkness with the light of the gospel!
I remember a time when I worked at a school that worked to teach kids outreach. The assignment for me and a few students was to go out into the community and find someone to pray for. I spied a woman in Barnes and Noble and decided to approach her. “May we pray for you,” I asked. “No,” she replied as my heart sank a bit. Then she lifted it back up. “I’ll pray for you.”
Step out. It’s very cool.
Wow, such a great story, Nancy. It adds so much to the conversation! I’ve found that most people won’t turn down someone praying for them, unless they are really agnostic or an atheist. Which is where I thought your story was headed. Praise the Lord for divine appointments!
Unfortunately, in today’s climate, I am afraid we’re going to face more and more negative reaction when sharing biblical truth. But it’s more important than ever to speak up for the Lord. I am so grateful to God for saving me. I was a teenager, my parents had just divorced, we moved from a very small town to a big metropolis, and I felt all the props had been removed. I had not attended church regularly, but knew enough to cry to God for help. He led to a Christian school, provided someone to pay the way, led from the school to the church it was part of. Under regular Bible teaching and being encouraged to read the Bible for myself, the gospel became clear and my life was grounded on truth. I shudder to think what my life would have been like without God’s intervention.
Love hearing your story of coming to know Christ, Barbara. So thankful the Lord continually pursues us (even after we acknowledge Him as Lord), and intervenes. I have lost family members and always pray for the Holy Spirit to draw them to the truth and hope! Thanks for sharing your personal redemption story! “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” Psalm 107:2 ( NIV) Hallelujah!
Hallelujah and Maranatha Amen-Amein and Goodnight Everyone!!
Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
God bless, Kristi Ann. Disciples of Jesus remain unashamed of the gospel and the Bible and Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life.
Amen Karen, and again I’m going to say Amen. I will always proclaim and shout out Jesus Christ Is My Lord And Savior. So wonderfully spoken Karen, Blessings.
Hallelujah, Paula! “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.” Romans 1:16 (ESV)
So much hope offered here! I love how you encourage us to be faithful and press in to Jesus, both in our hearts and outwardly, to bless others!
Thank you, Rebecca! The gospel is a message of hope!
The world has gone mad, Karen. I’m so glad we know the end of the story!
Me too, Susan. Thankful we a blessed hope and living hope in Jesus!
Wonderful post, Karen. No one can take our story away from us. It is the beautiful interaction of grace and mercy and it is personal to each one of us. I am always grateful for your words of encouragement.
So true, Joanne. No one can argue with our redemption story and how the Lord’s grace met us right where we were.
The more I read through your post, Karen, the more energized and filled with hope I felt. Thanks for sharing this beautifully inspiring and encouraging post.
Glad this encouraged and inspired you, Carlie. May we never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Oh the truth in this!
The more we are in God’s Word, the more we do the right thing…the godly thing…the Jesus thing, and do it all more often. And the more we are not ashamed.
Glad this spoke to you, Mandy. I have to remind myself of this often, the transforming power of God’s Word.
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