“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” — Romans 1:16 (ESV)
Lately, I’ve noticed people are selective in what they say — and don’t say. We can become quite vocal in our attempt to right injustice, destroy discrimination, and stop oppression. We can also become hesitant to voice an opinion if it is unpopular.
“I’m hesitant to say anything.” The statement revealed my friend’s fear of being misunderstood or rejected. We were not born to be alone. My friend isn’t the only one hesitant to share their view.
I’m an introvert and enjoy quiet time by myself. But I still need others in my life. I desire to be accepted, respected, and appreciated. That’s not narcissistic. It’s the recognition that we are created for relationships.
The message of the gospel is good news!
At its core, it reveals God’s relentless love for me, that God desires and wants me. The gospel helps me see how intense God’s love is. So extreme is His love that Jesus willingly embraces the cross to die for us so that we might live eternally in relationship with the triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
As wonderful as the good news is, I have friends who reject it. They don’t believe it. So did the apostle Paul.
His society struggled with the gospel message. It wasn’t popular then; it’s not fashionable in our society. The gospel makes us uncomfortable. It reminds us: we’re helpless and inadequate to change our condition. It reveals to us how much we need God. And that revelation is humbling.
Suppose we try harder, shout louder, and do more to get the message out to others. In that case, we want to believe we will somehow be able to right injustice, eliminate discrimination, and stop oppression. But our advocacy for justice, equality, and freedom can also be a distraction from observing the core issue that inspires injustice — SIN.
In our desire to be accepted and avoid offending others, we can quickly become hesitant to address the real issue: SIN. Paul unashamedly proclaims the gospel because “it [was] the power of God for salvation” then, and it still is today!
The gospel remains the antidote for injustice, discrimination, and oppression.
I’m not against our desire to eliminate injustice. However, injustice still requires the gospel that reminds us: God will bring justice!