Letters #6

Paul is convinced that the gospel has the power to transform our lives. And when we respond to the gospel by putting our faith in Jesus, that transformation takes place instantly and is ongoing for all our days. Simply said, our priorities will be reoriented to Jesus’ priorities more and more as we follow him in faith.

I am not ashamed of the gospel.

For Christians in the first century, following Jesus and the changes in priorities that came with that were not nuanced or abstract. They were visible for all to see. Is that true of us today?

If you were Greek, you went from worshipping a pantheon of gods to worship of one God. You went from the love and glorification of self to the love and prioritization of your neighbor. From saying Cesar is lord to Jesus is Lord… a claim that will put you in some hot water with the Roman government. If you were Jewish, you went from seeing Jesus as a traitor and false messiah to the Messiah and God incarnate. From Saturday as your day of worship to Sunday as your day of worship. From salvation by being in the right family and following the law to salvation by grace. Being a Christian in the first century meant your faith was on display for all to see. Often, we don’t have much to be “ashamed” of when it comes to being a Christian. For Paul and his first-century companions, it could cost them everything… what did Paul stand to lose?