All of us at times face the temptation to be ashamed of Jesus Christ and the gospel. Even those of us who have tasted the grace of God are prone to yield at times to pressure and compromise our loyalty to Christ and His gospel. So prevalent is this even among the most advanced Christians that Paul deemed it necessary to warn Timothy respecting it: “Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8) As the Apostle Paul makes his plans to come to Rome, a place of great influence, he courageously states: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” (Romans 1:16). 

What is it about this Gospel of God that gives occasion for such a word?

 Some of us today face the danger of intellectual shame. W.H. Griffith Thomas explains this as “the fear that the gospel has not that virility of thought and essential philosophy which will commend it to masculine minds.” For Paul was well aware of all the temptations in Rome to being ashamed of the gospel there. What was arrayed against him — the esteemed religions of the world and the great systematized philosophies of Aristotle and Plato. 

Others of us face the danger of social shame. It is still true today that “not many wise, not many noble, not many mighty are called.” The facet that Christianity has always moved upwards from the lowest social strata is a stumbling block for those who are socially proud. Some of us do not want to be thought of as fanatical and want so desperately to be accepted by those whose opinions we esteem and we at times waffle in our commitment to Jesus and His Word.

Lastly, the gospel causes us to confront spiritual shame. The gospel is foolishness to some and a stumbling block to others because it undermines self-righteousness and challenges self-indulgence. So “whenever the gospel is faithfully preached, it arouses opposition, often contempt, and sometimes ridicule” (John Stott, Romans, p.60).

How does the Gospel offend our modern sensibilities?

1. The gospel insults and scandalizes us by telling us that our salvation is free and not earned. This offends moral and religious people who think their decency gives them an advantage over less moral people.

2.   The gospel insults us by telling us that we were so sinful and wicked that only the death of the Son of God could save us. This really offends our culture’s popular belief in the innate goodness of man.

3. The gospel offends us by insisting that good and nice people will not be saved by their own goodness. This offends the modern notion that any nice person anywhere can find God “in his own way.” We don’t like losing our autonomy.

4.  The gospel scandalizes us by reminding us that Jesus’ accomplished our salvation by suffering and serving (not conquering and destroying), and that following him means to suffer and serve with him. This offends people who want an easy life. This offends people who want their lives to be safe and comfortable.

 May the fixed purpose of heart and attitude of mind of the Apostle Paul be ours today in fuller measure. Can you concur with Paul with firm and resolute confidence that: “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)?