Rom 1:16 – 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.

It is often thought that when you hear the phrase “Preach the Gospel” or “Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel” that it is referring specifically and only to the act of declaring the message of salvation through Christ to unbelievers. So when we are told that we should “not be ashamed” of the Gospel, we automatically think it has only to do with the act of “witnessing” or being bold and speaking out to unbelievers in whatever form that takes. But I would contend that that barely scratches the surface of what the Gospel really is and what it means to boldly declare it. In fact, in this account in the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul is not referring to unbelievers, but in declaring the Gospel *to believers*. Look at the verse just preceding the title verse: Rom 1:15 – So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

In the verses leading up to this Paul is specifically addressing the believers in Rome, talking about how he longs to come and see them in person and impart a spiritual gift unto them and then states: “I am ready to preach the gospel TO YOU”. Right after that he states that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone *that believeth*. Now you might say “Wait a minute, why would Paul preach the Gospel to believers who are already saved?, why would they need any more Gospel?”. It is because there is so much more wrapped up in “The Gospel” than just the message of initial repentance and faith in Christ. In the title verse, Paul states that the Gospel is the power of God *unto salvation*. 

In the verse right after the title verse (Rom 1:17) , Paul states: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith”. The “therein” in that verse refers specifically to the Gospel, so once you make the initial step of repentance and faith to God in and through Christ, then the righteousness of God is revealed from *faith to faith* as the message and teaching of the Gospel continues to work in the life of the believer. That verse ends with “The just shall LIVE by faith” speaking of the ongoing work throughout the entire life of the believer, not just the one time act of faith that gets you in the door. It is not enough to just exercise a *one time* act of faith, in order to be considered “saved” and justified before God, you *must* continue in that faith steadfast to the very end. Jesus confirmed this in Matt 24:12-13 when he said: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure UNTO THE END, the same shall be saved.

So why did Paul say he was *not ashamed* of the Gospel? Because he realized the whole message of the Gospel entailed much much more than just repent and take that initial step. It was not an easy message that said “Hey, come to Jesus, get saved from hell, but go ahead and remain the lord and master of your own life”.  No, he knew that life in Christ was an all encompassing proposition that would require a steadfast commitment firm until the end. That it would require a *daily* determination to “put aside *all* filthiness and *all* that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” (Jam 1:21). That the whole message of the Gospel would not be happily received from those who wanted life in Christ on their own terms or just sort of a tertiary commitment that left at least some room to periodically indulge their flesh if they don’t happen to feel like resisting temptation that day. Paul realized he carried a message that, in its fullness, would not be popular and would potentially lose some who made that initial step, but didn’t realize all that they were signing up for. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

Contrast that to the predominantly easy-believism message that is preached today in most Churches about what it means to be Christian and the constant pressure on preachers and teachers to water down and dilute the *real* gospel message, one that requires the believer to maintain and exercise an ongoing faith and commitment to Christ to the very end in order to be saved, and you can see why it took courage for the Apostle Paul and why he had to say he was *not ashamed* to boldly declare it. There is no power in a watered down Gospel, but in its non-diluted fullness, the Gospel of Christ is: “The power of God *unto salvation* to every one that believeth”.