Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture said, Whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.… I. WHOSOEVER TRUST IN ANYTHING BUT IN CHRIST SHALL BE ASHAMED. The Jews of their confidence in the law. They also which, with King Asa, trust in the physicians and not in God in the day of sickness, so they which trust in their riches contrary to the commandment of the Spirit, whom Christ calls fools. These also who seek in losses to wizards and not to God. Many trust in outward things without God, but there are few who trust in God without outward things. II. THERE IS MUCH FEAR AND DOUBTING WHERE FAITH IS, BUT IN THE END BELIEVERS SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. This makes them confident against the reproach cast upon them by the world. Though the gospel be spoken against in every place, yet Paul will not be ashamed of it. This also comforts against the guiltiness of sin, which is the true cause of shame. Faith obtains pardon, and therefore we shall never be put to shame, and the more we believe the less do we fear shame. Peter walked upon the water and shamed himself, for he began to sink. What was the cause? Not the wind or waves, but the defect of faith. Make precious account therefore of thy faith, and labour to increase it. A certain captain, being in a hot skirmish, was stricken down, and taken up for dead. As soon as he came to himself he first asked if his target were safe, being loth his enemies should get that. So look to thy faith, for the devil, thy enemy, will look to it, and thou shalt not be ashamed. III. WICKED MEN AND UNBELIEVERS ARE MISERABLE BECAUSE OF THE SHAME WHICH FOLLOWS THEM. There can be almost no stronger argument against sin than to say it will make ashamed. Some, like shameless beasts, glory in their shame, making a pastime of that with Solomon's fool (Proverbs 10:23), which they should bewail with tears of blood. It is a face of brass that is not ashamed of blasphemy, drunkenness, adultery, and pride. Though many of these things be not now ashamed, yet at the day of death or judgment they shall be put to shame, and then there shall be no covering for their shame. If thou be one of these and couldst blush, there were hope of thee. When a thief is taken how doth he hang down his head before men. Alas! if thou believest not, nor repentest, how shalt thou be able to look Christ in the face when He comes to judgment? Let us therefore so live that when He shall appear we may be bold, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. (Elnathan Parr, B.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.WEB: For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." |
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