The Grands Letter (Rom/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on October 26, 2021 6:05 am (CST)Dear Grands,
Romans 1:16-20, âFor I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, âBUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.â
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.â
Have you ever been ashamed? I have; and I am certain you have, too. Sometimes weâre ashamed for what we have done; sometimes weâre ashamed for what we have not done. Paul certainly felt that way. Prior to his own conversion, he had committed Christians to jail and even to death (Acts 8:1ff), all the time believing he was doing the will of God. Oh, how wrong he was!
Yet, there was one thing of which Paul was not ashamed: it was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the midst of Paulâs rebellion, the LORD revealed Himself to Paul. His life was changed forever! And from that time onward, he was a messenger of and for the LORD Jesus Christ!
Having raged so violently against the Truth, Paul came to understand that âwhich is known about God is evident within themâŚâ God reveals Himself to every person in a way they can understand. So those without Christ are also those without an excuse. Why? It is beause âsince the creation of the world (the LORDâs) invisible attributesâŚhave been clearly seen and understoodâ through creation itself. Therefore, no one is without excuse! God has implanted in all people the understanding.
Thus, the only thing for which all humanity has to be ashamed is the failure to trust Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior! But when youâve become a child of the LORD through faith, you need only to be ashamed of not sharing Him with others.
Heartily in Christ Jesus,
(Dado III)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America
“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” â Corrie ten Boom