How does Romans 1:16 encourage boldness in sharing the gospel today? Unashamed Power of the Gospel “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and then to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) What Romans 1:16 Declares • The gospel is God’s own power—an unchanging, divine force, not merely human words. • Salvation comes through that power to “everyone who believes,” revealing God’s universal plan. • Paul’s outright confession, “I am not ashamed,” models the attitude every believer can adopt. Why We Can Speak Boldly Today • The gospel’s power is present tense. It did not weaken over time; it remains God’s active means of saving souls. • Salvation rests on God’s ability, not our eloquence. Confidence shifts from self to Him. • Every audience is included. Because the verse names Jew and Greek, no cultural barrier is too great. • Paul’s courage sprang from conviction, not personality. The same conviction is available through the Spirit. Scripture Links That Reinforce Boldness • 2 Timothy 1:7—“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” • Acts 4:31—The early believers “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5—Paul relied on “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” so faith would rest on God, not man. • Matthew 28:18-20—Jesus’ Great Commission is backed by “all authority in heaven and on earth,” ensuring His presence “to the very end of the age.” Removing Fear: God’s Gift of Courage • Remember who owns the message: God. • Recall what the message does: saves eternally. • Realize who empowers the messenger: the Holy Spirit. • Recognize the worst threat: rejection by people, which pales next to eternal loss. • Rejoice in promised results: God uses every faithful witness, even when unseen. Practical Ways to Walk in Boldness • Begin each day affirming Romans 1:16 aloud; let truth shape mindset. • Share personal testimony—no one can dispute what God has done in your life. • Use Scripture in conversation; God’s Word carries inherent authority (Hebrews 4:12). • Partner with other believers; boldness grows in community (Philippians 1:14). • Keep the outcome in God’s hands. Our role is obedience; His is salvation. Living Romans 1:16 Holding this verse close transforms hesitation into confidence, because the focus shifts from our limitations to God’s limitless power. The same gospel that saved Paul’s first-century hearers still rescues people today. Speak it plainly, live it openly, and watch God’s power work. |
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