SATURDAY May 9, 2020

Unashamed of the Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ….
Romans 1:16

The Apostle Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. He had such a passion to share the message that had transformed his life. Well-known preacher D. L. Moody preached a powerful Gospel message about excuses, on November 23, 1899, in the Civic Auditorium in Kansas City. Even though he was a very sick man, he said, “I must have souls! Never, ever have I wanted so much to lead men and women to Christ as I do at this time.”

There was a throbbing in Moody’s chest as he held on to the organ to keep himself from falling. He bravely preached the Gospel that day, and some 50 people responded to trust Christ. Moody left for home, and a month later he died. Up to the very end, Moody was compelling people to come to Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. I do not think there are a lot of men like that. People lose their fire and passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When I came to Christ in 1972, I knew in my heart that I had to tell people what had happened to me. When I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was something that burned within me, and that fire has never been quenched. I still feel that way, and with every opportunity I get, wherever I go, I need to share Christ, because I do not know if I am going to be here tomorrow.

I realize God has commissioned me to proclaim the Gospel. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. The Gospel penetrates your soul and passions. It feels like blood flowing through your veins. In order to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there has to be a passion that is given to us by the Lord. I do not see that today. I have not seen it for a long time, where the Gospel just burns within a person, and they cannot help but think of all the people that are perishing––that is the Gospel.

Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the ancient gospel of martyrs, confessors, Reformers, and saints. Above all, it is the truth of God, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!