Day 7: Living Unashamed

Readings for January 7: Ezekiel 1: 1-14, 22-28, Psalm 46: 4-6. 8-22. Romans 1: 1-17

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16.

Romans, the book that was the game changer for Martin Luther, John Wesley and I am sure many other people.  One reason for such is that it gives us a strong view of the Gospel.  It challenges us to live unashamed, of Christ and of being a Christian.  Each day we need to be proud of being a Christian, even though we may receive persecution because of it.  Why?  Because when we live ashamed, we try to over things up from the world.  When we cover things up from the world, we begin to cover them up also in our minds and eventually our hearts.  When this happens we no longer can believe.  And living under the Gospel and forgiveness is so wonderful.  As Martin Chemnitz wrote:

“There remains, therefore, the doctrine of the Gospel, which instructs us concerning the twofold benefit of Christ, namely, reconciliation and sanctification or renewal. It contains the promise of the remission of sins, free reconciliation, adoption, and acceptance unto eternal life, for the sake of Christ the Mediator. It also contains the promise of the Spirit of renewal, who works in us both to will and to do, so that after we are justified we can also begin the new obedience.  Therefore, because justifying faith seeks reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sins, adoption, and acceptance unto eternal life, it is manifest what the proper and principal object of faith is, namely, the promise of grace for the sake of the Mediator.  In respect to this and by laying hold on it we are justified.

“These things are confirmed by sure and clear passages of Scripture which establish that the object of justifying faith is not the Word of God in general, but the promise of the benefits of Christ the Mediator….

“Then how many blessings come to us along with this object of our faith: free reconciliation, remission of sins, imputation of the righteousness of Christ, free acceptance before God, adoption, freedom from the Law, liberation from the curse of the Law, propitiation for our sins, eternal life, communion with God, the inheritance of life and salvation, peace, joy, and hope of the glory of God! These are the words of Scripture.  When in this way the object of justifying faith is unfolded before us, the entire matter becomes clearer.

“There must be a continuous progression from Sinai to Zion, so that the object of justifying faith does not become Epicureanism or, as Peter says, “a cloak for maliciousness” (1 Peter 2:16).”

And so my prayer today is this:

Dear Heavenly Father, enthroned in heaven above, give us Your Holy Spirit that we may go through this life unashamed of You.  We love You.  We want to live a life that is glorifying and proclaiming You.  Give us the strength to do this.  This we pray through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.  Amen.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Amen.