Paul writes in Philippians 3:8-9: “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from and depends on faith.” 

One of the most universal experiences of humanity is shame and embarrassment. None of us enjoy feeling shame, so we try to avoid it, but we never fully escape shame. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve thought they could avoid the shame of their sin by covering themselves and hiding from God. They failed. It was only when God himself clothed them with animal skins that the shame of their actions was removed. God had to atone for and cover their sin. There was nothing they could do to deal with their shame – it was only through the work of a gracious, merciful, and entirely holy God that they experienced reconciliation. 

This story has repeated itself ever since. It is the story of people who are lost, hopeless, and covered with shame – why? Because of their sin. But it is also the story of a God who took the initiative to save and redeem His chosen people. And He did this through His Son. 

In Romans 1 Paul tells us he is unashamed of the gospel. There are several reasons why the Gospel message might be considered shameful. It is contrary to worldly wisdom. The Bible tells us this in 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” To most, the gospel seems foolish. When we witness to lost people, we often sense this – we are aware that this is a hard message to accept. 

How do we combat such resistance?  Modern evangelicalism has tried to downplay or minimize the “shame” of the gospel.  Many pastors and church leaders attempt to make it acceptable to a contemporary audience. When you follow that paradigm, you end up with churches filled with unconverted people.  A church is not a church if it’s composed of unbelievers. As Christians, we want to be faithful to the true gospel.

The Power of God

Pastors and theologians often point out that “power” comes from the Greek word dunamis. That is where we get our English word dynamite from – the gospel is dynamite! It’s the power of God. He manifests his power in the world around us. The psalmist writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaim his handiwork.” In Creation and Redemption, we behold the power of God in its glory.

God is omnipotent or “all-powerful.” As A.W. Tozer explains, “God possesses what no creature can: an incomprehensible plentitude of power, a potency that is absolute. This we know by divine revelation, but once known, it is recognized as being in full accord with reason. Grant that God is infinite and self-existent and we see at once that he must be all-powerful as well.”

Isaiah declared – “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory”(Isaiah 6). When we know the power and potency of God, it is humbling. We need to be brought to our knees in worship. May we have a high view of God – a reverent fear of God. 

Salvation

God invested his power in the gospel, but what is its intent? The purpose of the gospel is not for our prosperity or the promotion at work that we’ve been hoping for. That’s the self-centered gospel, making God a servant to my wants and desires. 

The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. What are we saved or rescued from?  

The wrath of God (Romans 5:9). From willful spiritual ignorance (2 Thess. 1:8). From evil self-indulgence (Luke 14:26). From the darkness of false religion (Col. 1:13). From eternal punishment and separation from God (Romans 6:23). Some say the gospel saves us from poor self-esteem, gives us health, wealth, and peace, and prosperity. But the Bible tells us we are saved from eternal, conscious punishment. If you reject God’s gracious offer of salvation, you will spend eternity in hell. 

Would there be any reason for Paul to be ashamed of this gospel? Not at all. Paul could glory in this message. But for whom is that power realized? Everyone who “believes.”

To “believe” means to have faith in. The object of this belief is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity.  Many people struggle with this because it means the gospel is exclusive. God has set boundaries on who can be saved. Only those who “believe” in Jesus Christ can and will be saved. 

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes to God the Father except through me.”

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