Unashamed: Carriers of Good News

Today's Scripture

Romans 1:8-17

Today's Insights

Romans opens with Paul identifying himself as "an apostle... set apart for the gospel of God" (1:1). His letter is written "to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people" (verse 7). Yet he singles out the gentiles for special mention (verses 5-6), perhaps because their inclusion in the family of faith was still a radical concept. Paul reiterates this cross-cultural unity later in the chapter: "The power of God... brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile" (verse 16). His example inspires us to reach out to people in new places with the love of Christ.

Today's Devotional

The contrast struck me immediately. Inside our downtown Chicago conference center, everything spoke of abundance—elegant meeting rooms, gourmet meals, comfortable accommodations. Yet just outside those revolving glass doors, a different reality awaited. Each morning as I walked from my hotel, I passed men and women huddled in doorways, their possessions contained in weather-worn backpacks and shopping carts.

This jarring juxtaposition became the backdrop for our leadership conference focused on vision planning. The disparity I witnessed daily between conference room and street corner kept bringing me back to a central question: How effectively are we channeling the resources God has entrusted to us—both spiritual and material—to the places and people who need them most?

Paul's letter to the Romans resonates with this same heart. Though he had not yet visited the believers in Rome, he expressed his deep desire to do so: "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Romans 1:11-12).

What strikes me about Paul's words is how he envisioned a mutual exchange. He wasn't positioning himself as merely a giver with nothing to receive. Rather, he anticipated that both he and the Roman believers would be strengthened through their connection. This reflects a profound truth about gospel resources—they flow most powerfully when shared in community.

The resources God has given us take many forms. Some are tangible—finances, food, shelter, clothing. Others are less visible but equally vital—wisdom, encouragement, prayer, presence. Whatever form they take, these resources reach their full potential when we recognize them as gifts to be shared rather than possessions to be protected.

Paul's bold declaration caps this understanding: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (verse 16). His unashamed conviction drove him to cross cultural, geographical, and social boundaries to share the good news of Christ's love.

Today, as we encounter both abundance and scarcity in our world, may we follow Paul's example. Let's recognize the gospel resources God has placed in our hands and hearts. And with the same unashamed confidence that animated Paul, may we freely share these gifts with a world in desperate need of both physical sustenance and spiritual hope.

Prophetic Significance

Paul's declaration that he is "not ashamed of the gospel" carries profound prophetic significance for believers today. This statement wasn't merely personal conviction but prophetic posture—one increasingly vital in our current cultural moment.

As Western society continues its post-Christian shift, believers increasingly find themselves marginalized for holding to biblical truth. Paul's unashamed stance prophetically addresses this reality, challenging contemporary followers of Christ to maintain bold gospel witness even when facing mockery, exclusion, or persecution.

The apostle's emphasis on the gospel reaching "first to the Jew, then to the Gentile" prophetically points to God's redemptive pattern throughout history—beginning with a specific people but ultimately encompassing all nations. This progression foreshadows the complete fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3).

In our age of increasing global connectivity alongside deepening societal divisions, Paul's vision of resources flowing across cultural and economic boundaries speaks prophetically to the church's mission. The growing disparity between abundance and scarcity worldwide demands a prophetic response from believers—one that reflects God's heart for justice and compassion.

Furthermore, Paul's eagerness to impart spiritual gifts while receiving encouragement from others prophetically challenges the consumer mentality prevalent in many contemporary churches. His model of mutual edification reveals the interdependence essential for the church to function as a prophetic community in these last days.

As economic systems grow increasingly unstable and material resources become more concentrated, Paul's approach to gospel resources provides a prophetic alternative—one where giving and receiving flow freely across all human-made boundaries, testifying to the reality of God's coming kingdom.

Reflect & Pray

How will you share the good news of forgiveness that you've received? How can you meet others' physical needs while sharing the love of Christ?

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I've treated Your gifts—both spiritual and material—as mine to keep rather than Yours to share. Remove any shame or hesitation that holds me back from freely offering the hope I've found in You. Open my eyes to see the needs around me, and give me courage to respond with both practical help and spiritual truth. May I never separate meeting physical needs from sharing Your transforming love. Make me a faithful steward of all You've entrusted to me, for Your glory and the blessing of others. Amen.