Devotion - Tuesday, February 26

I continue in Paul's letter to the church in Rome.  Today I read Romans 1:16-25.

The phrase which opens this section served as the theme for our GALSM retreat few years back - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel."  On that retreat, we discussed the reluctance we often have to speak to others about our faith, about our devotion, about our life among God's people.  The speaker asked us to consider whether it was embarrassment, or lack of knowledge, or as absence of enthusiasm which lead to our being shy about sharing.

The speaker didn't mean to suggest that any of you are "ashamed" of the gospel, i.e. wanting to avoid letting others know that we considered ourselves part of the Christian community.  But he did challenge us to be more forthright in sharing those aspects of the Gospel which put us at odds with the world around us.

This is the line of talk we are pursuing in our LCM Wednesday night programs.  We are looking at how uncomfortable Jesus made the comfortable.  Last week it was the religious leaders; this week it is the political authorities.  Jesus didn't ask, "Why are you ashamed of me?" but he did ask why we had become so complacent in the world around us - ignoring the directives of scripture.

In biology class, or geology class, when issues of carbon dating are raised, do we shy away from speaking?  Do we miss opportunities to say, "Here is how Genesis 1 reveals the same marvel as what recent science (science of the last two decades) is now teaching us?"  Or do we cower in our seats, dreading the mention of Christianity and the mislaid defense of one line of interpretation?

In our residence hall, when talk turns to "having a good time," or "blowing off steam," do we speak of the folly of seeking self-gratifying behaviors rather than finding our rest in that which is eternal and lasting?

We may not be ashamed of letting others know that we go to Church, or read our Bibles, but is it the fear of being shamed which leads to silence when we have opportunity to speak up?

Are we willing to be identified as "Christian" so long as that identification puts in step with the culture around us, while shying away when the calling of God demands that we speak against the conventional wisdom of our peer group?

Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel."  Neither should we.