Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God. One of the things I like to ask when I read the Bible (especially the Pauline Epistles) is, "Why?" Why would Paul have to tell the Romans that he is not ashamed of the Gospel? Is it because the Gospel is the power of God? Is it his dramatic conversion that makes him unashamed? I would venture to say 'yes' to all of those reasons but I think there's another reason why Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel."
It's because the Gospel causes shame--It's shaming. Think about it; to be a believer in Christ is to completely trust in the power of someone else, namely, Jesus Christ. As a Christian, I am helplessly dependent on Jesus. There is a hymn by Edward Mote that comes to mind:
My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus' blood and righteousnessI dare not trust the sweetest frame,But wholly lean on Jesus name
Apart from Christ's atoning work on the Cross and His defeat of death in His Resurrection, there is no hope for the Christian. I am damned to hell, an enemy of God, a hater of God even, without Jesus. Jesus is my reconciliation (Col 1:21-22; 2 Cor 5:20; Rom 5:1). Without Jesus, I can't do anything (John 15:5; Col 1:15-20).
As a sinner, I am also filled with tremendous pride and a propensity to self-reliance. I like being able to do things on my own and I don't like having to depend on other people. For example, I find it difficult to have others pay for my dinner or even a cup of coffee (even if they're treating) my friend can attest to this. Sometimes I don't even like being helped up if I fall, or receiving a word of correction (even if I know I need it).
So then, isn't it only natural that something as self-negating as the Gospel would cause me to feel shame. God took pity on me, a poor sinner (Ps 73:13; Is 63:9; Matt 18:27; Mark 1:41), lived for me, died for me and now I stand completely dependent on Him--If I am consumed by my pride, that causes shame because I don't like being dependent on people. It makes me feel weak.
If I am consumed by the Gospel and come to terms with the fact that I actually am weak and incapable of pleasing God on my own and I embrace Jesus for the all satisfying, powerful Savior that He is, then I am unashamed. Being unashamed is a work of God's grace (James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5). Praise God because His Gospel is His power and He prayerfully makes us unashamed of the Good News as we daily remind ourselves of what He has accomplished for us and who we are in Him.
