I am not ashamed of the gospel

In Romans 1:16 (AMP) we find the Verse of the Day for July 17, 2016:

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The “gospel” of Jesus Christ literally means the “good news”: the glorious gospel message of the overall intent and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to bring salvation to the whole world. The “Good News” is said to recognize and celebrate the truth that Jesus Christ was born. With his birth the angel of the Lord assured the shepherds with these words:

Luke 2:10-11:

“. . . Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.

¹¹For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!

The birth of Jesus Christ is part of “the gospel” which also notes that not only did he live but that he died and that he arose from the dead. Moreover, he is coming back again! Indeed, the “good news” is that through Jesus Christ those who believe on Him obtain salvation when they confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. The good news proclaims that believers are made whole, in spirit, mind, and body; it provides life everlasting for those who follow Him and offers the free gift of salvation to all who receive it.

In reflecting on the term “the good news of the gospel,” I recall comments about the first part of that phrase which introduces a poetic declaration entitled “Good News Day”:

. . . [T]here is no failure in God, for God is good. The very essence of God is goodness. Indeed, Jesus Christ said, “There is none good but the Father.” And there is no comparative or superlative with God. There are no “better” days with God. God does not have the “best” day He’s had in a long time in comparison to others. With God every day is a “Good News Day” because “God is good.” Period!

Many times in the midst of adverse circumstances when life is not unfolding as we think it should, we recall the words from Psalm 118:24, as we rejoice and celebrate the goodness of God one more time:

Good News Day

This is the day the LORD has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

It’s a good new day
no blues day
new shoes
no way to lose
What a good new day

It’s a great day
I can’t wait day
lift your voice
let’s rejoice
Good God, a good news day

It’s a payday
goin my way day
no nay–all yea
what you say
Such a good news day

It’s a live it up day
overflowin cup day
It’s a bright and bubbly
doubly lovely
Show-nuff good news day

As we celebrate the goodness of God every day, we also recognize the truths expressed in the lyrics from the gospel song “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” which reinforce the message of the Verse of the Day, recorded here by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir:

Because he bore the shame, I am not ashamed

In Romans 1:16 we find the Verse of the Day for July 17, 2014:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Because of the Lord Jesus Christ and all that he endured on our behalf, as believers we rejoice and celebrate the good news (the gospel of Christ). We are not put to shame because of Christ’s obedience. Looking at Hebrews 12:1-2, we can really appreciate what the Lord accomplished on our behalf:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When we turn our eyes upon Jesus Christ, we recognize all that he endured when he was made a curse, as he endured the cross, despising the shame and humiliation associated with such a disgraceful and shameful act, such as crucifixion.

In reflecting upon the Lord Jesus Christ and overwhelming burden of our sins that he bore, I recall the inspiration for a poem that I wrote in which I understood to a greater degree that the Lord was indeed my “Burden Bearer” In thinking on these two verses, my mind recalls a backpacking experience that occurred at TFI (Total Fitness Institute) in California back in December, 1975. During this outdoor wilderness adventure I was assigned to a platoon of believers, and we portioned out our food supply for the week among the group. I volunteered to carry the food for the last day, which meant that my load stayed the same while the load that everyone else carried got lighter.

On this particular day, we were told that we would hike for a mile and then take a break and rest for a while. After a considerable amount of time, I was certain that we had hiked more than a mile, but we continued. When I realized that I was carrying the food for the last day and that everyone else’s load was lighter than mine, I became agitated and began to complain in my mind that “This is just not fair. . .” During this time of frustration and agitation as I struggled under my heavy load, I thought of the Lord Jesus Christ and all that he gladly bore on my behalf. As I took my mind off myself and turned my thoughts toward the Lord, the distress and exasperation seemed to fade, and we arrived at our destination in a short time. That experience was the inspiration for this poem:

The Burden Bearer

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,

When I lay my burden down.

 

I stumbled up the rugged road;

I almost fell beneath the load

And spurned the pain inside my head,

Recalling words of one who said

“Come unto me, and I will give you rest.”

 

The yoke I bear cannot compare

With all he took upon Himself:

All sins, disease, and guilt, despair

That I could not forebear myself.

His burden was not made of wood,

His cross beyond all words can name.

Have I resisted unto blood?

Could I for joy endure such shame?

 

From a glimpse into his face

I’m strengthened by a second wind;

My mind’s renewed to keep the pace

The load is lightened by my friend.

 

I feel better, so much better

since I laid my burden down.

 

Because the Lord willingly bore our sin and iniquity on the cross where he took upon himself all of our guilt and shame, he released me from bondage of guilt and shame for past failures. The lyrics from contemporary gospel song “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” reinforce the message of the Verse of the Day, recorded here by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: