Romans 1:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ 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.

The gospel is the greatest of all messages, but it is more than just a great message, it is a superi-or covenant as well. It involves precious promises, important instructions, and commandments that must be kept, while, at the same time, offering us unmatchable hope. Why would a Christian ever be ashamed of the gospel?

The truth is, Christians should never be ashamed of the gospel, but there are reasons why they might be. One reason is that the gospel is not a popular message. The core message of the gospel, that is, the truth about Jesus dying on a cross, has always been viewed negatively by the world (1 Corinthians 1:18), but it is more than that. The moral principles of the New Testament message are contrary to the world’s principles. This is why the Bible tells us not to expect affection from the world.

John 17:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ 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.

If we thought and lived like the world, it would accept us with open arms, but since we condemn the world by our lives and by the teaching of the gospel, it is hostile towards us (1 John 3:13). This causes some Christians to be ashamed. They know it is not popular, and they know there is a chance of repudiation if they do. We must remember that the consequences of being ashamed of the gospel will be far more severe than anything the world can do to us.

Mark 8:38 (ESV)
³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Another reason Christians might be ashamed of the gospel is that it is rejected by Christendom (the part of the world that claims allegiance with Christ). Most who claim to be Christians have ac-cepted man-made doctrines that are considered orthodox (faith only, Calvinism, infant baptism, premillennialism, etc.). When Christians stand against these doctrines, it results in rejection and ridicule from the majority of religious people. This causes some Christians to be ashamed of the gospel.

Let us be determined to never be ashamed. We must always defend the gospel (Philippians 1:17) and contend for the faith Jude 1:3), and we must do so gladly.

Philippians 1:20 (KJV)
²⁰ According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.