16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in
them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
OK, I am not the best blogger, I kinda type how I talk, so you all will just have to bear with me.
So, yeah...I can't even begin to explain how much this sums up what God is doing in me, and really I could go through the whole chapter...like really!! Yeah, it's kinda exploding in me, but in really calm, sublte ways if that makes any sense.
Verse 16 talks about not being ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation. Do I really get that? Do my actions prove that I get that? Am I daily living in a manner that would portray to the world that I am not ashamed of the Gospel? Because that is what being a "Christian" is. The Gospel is not something I accept, it is not just what I believe, but rather it is that belief put into action. 2 Peter 1 talks about this:
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
So now, having the divine power of God (how amazing is that) I must live in Godliness. Live Righteously. And not only have faith, but rather move on from faith to faith! If I chose not to live in righteousness, and instead in unrighteousness and ungodliness then the wrath of God is revealed to me because by my unrighteousness I am supressing the truth. I am holding to myself that which I should freely give. To be frank, I see this in my life. I can see where I have supressed the truth, where I have held it to myself and I am SO grateful the God has revealed his wrath to me that I may repent and move on, increasing in my faith and knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:5-9). If you read on in Romans it talks about those who "claim to be wise, but who have become fools" and I thank God that He has revealed to me my own heart on this matter. And thank Him all the more for His grace and mercies that allow me to give up these ungodly behaviors and acknowlegde Him.
Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with
knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness,
and steadfastness with Godliness and Godliness with brotherly affection, and
brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are
increasing they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~2 Peter 1: 5-9
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let
steadfastness have its full work effect, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing. ~James 1:3-4
And as a finale a little Sara Groves:
God is doing a work in me
He’s walking through my rooms and halls
Checking every corner
Tearing down the unsafe walls
And letting in the light
And I am working hard
To clean my house and set it straight
Not let pride get in the way
To catch an eternal vision of
What I am to become
Will you help me be new
Will you hold me to the promises
That I have made
Will you let me be new
Forgive my old self, and my old mistakes
It seems easier
Living out my life in Christ
For those do not know it
To hide the thorn stuck in my side
And all my secret faults
But you know me well
And it’s you I want the most to see
And recognize the changes
A word from you empowers me
To press on for my goal
Will you help me be new
Will you hold me to the promises
That I have made
Will you let me be new
Forgive my old self, and my old mistakes
When I feel condemned to live my old life
Remind me I’ve been given a new life in Christ
Will you help me be new
Will you hold me to the promises
That I have made
Will you let me be new
Forgive my old self, and my old mistakes
Will you
You know me well
I just thought I would share.
