I Am Not Ashamed
Opening Up Romans—8
Exploring the riches of God’s grace, one passage at a time.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel” (1:16). Paul’s soul was so gripped and mastered by the gospel that he was set on fire with eagerness to travel to Rome and preach it. Let’s focus our hearts on this phrase today: “I am not ashamed of the gospel.”
This is apropos for our moment in American history. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has opened a slumbering nation to the reality that evil exists. There are demonic spiritual forces intertwined with our own sin that drive the darkness of this world. They want you to cower in fear; to self-censor and be silent; to be ashamed of the gospel.
But the Word of God says no! This kind of spiritual battle is a daily reality for our brothers and sisters around the world. This past week, I saw a video from Uganda. In one village, a Muslim girl converted to Jesus then was martyred for her faith. The Muslims wouldn’t let her have a Christian burial. Shockingly, a Muslim imam stepped in and allowed it. He stood beside her coffin as the pastor preached the gospel. Later, the imam called that same pastor, asking to meet—though the pastor feared for his life. The imam said he wanted to be baptized and follow Jesus. Because of him, nine other imams and sixty-eight Muslims gave their lives to Christ!
Paul exhorts us to stand up for Jesus Christ and his gospel in the face of the demonic forces of our world.
The Reality of Being Ashamed
The very fact that Paul says “I am not ashamed” shows that shame is a real temptation. The Greek word epaischýnomai means being disgraced—feeling distance between you and what you’re ashamed of.
If you’ve been bragging all week about beating your rival in basketball or pickleball, and then you lose while everyone’s watching, that sinking feeling of embarrassment and isolation captures what shame does.
Jesus warned of this: “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory” (Luke 9:26). Paul told Timothy, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8).
In what practical ways are you ashamed of the gospel? The Muslims, the Marxists, and even your polite unbelieving neighbor will try to make you feel embarrassed for believing. Don’t talk too loudly about Jesus at Starbucks. Don’t open your Bible when your family’s around. Will you be ashamed?
The Reasons for Being Ashamed
There are many reasons we might be tempted to be ashamed of the gospel:
It sounds like foolishness to the world. We have a message of a crucified and risen Savior.
It seems powerless. The gospel is words, not weapons.
It’s marked by lowliness. Our Savior was humiliated, not exalted, by worldly standards.
It’s exclusive. In a pluralistic world, “Jesus is Lord” sounds narrow.
It seems to encourage licentiousness. Grace without law looks dangerous to the self-righteous.
It sounds dangerous. Christians have always been accused of “turning the world upside down.”
It exposes our fearfulness. We fear men more than God.
Look in the mirror—these temptations are real.
The Remedy for Being Ashamed
How do we grow bold? Paul doesn’t just say “I am not ashamed”—he says “for,” pointing to his reason: “the gospel is the power of God for salvation.”
A small crack in a windshield spreads, if left alone. Likewise, a small shame, if not confronted, can fracture your faith. Here’s how to repair it:
Be confident in the Word of God. If God has spoken, then we have no reason to shrink back.
Grasp your need for the gospel. You’re lost, but God has come to find you.
Grasp the power of the gospel. It’s God’s power for salvation—not ours.
Grasp the universality of the gospel. It’s for “everyone who believes,” Jew and Greek alike.
When you see that, you’ll join Paul in saying: “I am not ashamed.”
Time to Stand Up!
To be unashamed of the gospel means we will be shamed, persecuted, and mocked. But we can stand confident that the Holy Spirit will empower us to hold forth the gospel, preserve us in suffering, and use us to bring light into darkness.
Will you stand with me against the tide of the world? Will you stand with me, no matter who mocks?
“I am not ashamed of the gospel.”