Are You Sure?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

For it is the power of God for salvation to

Everyone who believes.

Romans 1:16

Confidence is key. Whether you are on an athletic field, in a classroom, or a boardroom, you have to believe in yourself and your approach. Of course, I am not speaking of an ungodly arrogance here, but a confidence that one is doing the right thing for the situation. There has to be some sense that you are sure.

While such confidence is important in other arenas in our lives, there is one that stands apart. There is one area in which we must show more confidence than all others. That is, we must be sure of our God and His plan for our salvation. It is often questioned whether or not there are multiple ways to God. And, if there are, why are you so sure that your way is right?

The Apostle Paul had no doubt. He was able to say with absolute confidence that he was “not ashamed” of the gospel. So sure was Paul that this gospel was the only way to God that he constantly put his life on the line in order to share it. He believed with all of his heart that people who die without the gospel go to hell. For him, this was unacceptable and people had to know. He lacked no confidence that this gospel was true.

When I read passages like this, as familiar as it is, I am humbled. I am reminded that the business of spreading the gospel is serious business. The call to “go” is not a call that we should take lightly. The call to “go” is a mandate, not a suggestion. Oh how I pray that our confidence in the gospel would grow. I also pray that the truth of the exclusiveness of the gospel would be driven home to us. Let our hearts be the same as Paul’s. May we say with him confidently, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.”

Our Greatest Ambition

Inherent to the call to follow Christ is also the call to propagate the gospel. It is the plan of Christ that His followers will share the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection. Christ desires that others would know that the price has been paid for their sins and that He has paved a way for us to have a relationship with the Father and to have eternal life.

In Acts 26, having been arrested because of his testimony of Christ, Paul boldly proclaims what Christ has done for him. He share a step by step account as to who he was and how Christ changed him. Paul shows no sense of fear or shame as he proclaims the truth of who Christ is. So convincing is Paul that Agrippa, in front of whom Paul was arguing his case, asks, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28). Without a doubt, Agrippa is sensing the truth of what Paul has to say and is not sure how to respond.

Paul’s answer to Agrippa in this moment reflects the heart that every believer ought to have when it comes to the spread of the gospel. Paul says, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am – except for these chains” (Acts 26:29). Paul had one driving force in his life. Paul knew his calling; his mission. Paul’s greatest desire was to see people come to Christ.

What is our greatest desire? Too often our greatest desire is to receive that long overdue promotion. Maybe we desire to finally build the home we have dreamed about forever. Or, maybe we simply desire to take that once in a lifetime vacation. Not Paul. Paul only desired to see people come to the Lord. He was driven by this desire. So great was his desire to see people come to the Lord, he prioritized it even before his own freedom. Oh that the heart of Paul would be transferred us. If only the church would catch such a passion today, what might change? Make it a point, today, to ask the Lord to begin to work in your heart as He did in Paul’s.

Taking a Stand in a Christ-less Culture

The Apostle Paul’s passion for the gospel never ceases to amaze me. As I have written before, when Paul met Christ, he went from chief persecutor of the church to chief propagator of the church. Paul never missed the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. It is as if it burned within him and no matter the circumstance he had to share it. Sometimes this is in the form of a simple testimony and sometimes he argues his case as if he is standing before the Supreme Court.

A story is recorded in Acts 17 of one such instance when Paul makes a case for Christ. Paul is in the city of Athens. He is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive to assist him in the ministry. However, while Paul is waiting on them he begins to take note of all the idols that are within the city. At the same time we are told that, “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). As a result, he begins to make his case for Christ and the gospel.

As Paul is making his case, he approaches it in an interesting way. He starts with what they know; he finds common ground with them. He says, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘to the unknown god’” (Acts 17:22-23). Paul found an open door and walks through it. He then says, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). Paul then goes on to make a very detailed argument as to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

As we think about sharing the gospel, there are several things we can learn from Paul. First of all, this event takes place in the normal flow of Paul’s life. He is simply waiting on some friends to arrive and killing time. Second, Paul finds common ground with the Athenians. He does not start a huge argument as to the sinfulness of worshiping idols; he simply uses these idols as a connecting point to share the one true God with them. Third, Paul is not shy about sharing the truth even though idol worship was clearly the accepted practice of the day in Athens. Every believer would do well to model their life and witness after Paul.