do not cause shame, or be ashamed

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.16.NLT

What makes us ashamed? When we aspire to principles that we do not live out. Today I was ashamed of recent behaviour of mine. I had not cared enough about my brother to communicate effectively with him, and today he denounced me as a sham. In this he was right.

If I do not live out the gospel in my life I cause it shame. However,  we can be so influenced by peer pressure we cave into bad behaviour. When we see our fellow Christians and do not associate with them, then we are ashamed of the gospel.

We cannot be afraid to stand up for the gospel. Today I read of a Pakistani brother who had been jailed for preaching the gospel. He was released after 5 years, and no trial. How can I be ashamed when men like these suffer so much?

May we not bring shame or cause shame. Amen!

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