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Day 109 Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions, for even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. What brings shame? Can you say your life is without shame, that everything you do is commendable? Paul knew the hearts and attitudes of the people and told the Romans he wasn’t ashamed of one thing, the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it is the power of salvation to everyone who believed, first for the Jews and then to everyone else. He told how people changed the glory of God into a lie. They exchanged God’s truth for shameful acts. He told them only one person was forever blessed: the Creator God. As Christians, when you see the list of people who deny God’s power, you see that the world has not changed. The same attitude Paul saw in people is the same attitude you see in the lives of people today. Solomon said there isn’t anything new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after. Many people believe that what they see in the world never happened before. Yet from the beginning, you see how people lied, killed, cheated, and did everything Paul spoke about to the Romans. Families were dysfunctional then, they are now. Nothing is new. You’ve seen it all before. God told Abraham that He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the same sin Paul spoke about to the Romans. Nothing since has changed. Man has been evil from the beginning. What did Paul tell the Romans? He said God gave them up to their vile passions. People didn’t want to change their lifestyle. They don’t today either. Only one thing is without shame—the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is God’s power for salvation. When you live according to the gospel, God’s power lives in you. Let’s pray: Father, let me say with Paul that I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is Your power for salvation. Let Your light burn in me so that people will know the truth and turn away from the lies seen in the world today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 2 November 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.