For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 NIV
Not Ashamed
In what has become a matter of national shame, more than 25,000 Japanese Canadians had to abandon their homes due to an order from the Federal Cabinet, as the beginning of a process of confinement in camps, humiliated and feeling betrayed, more than 4,000 Japanese opted to leave Canada under the repatriation scheme. Japanese Canadians that were confined to internment camps had their property confiscated and auctioned off to pay for their internment, the only race of people who were forced to pay for their own internment.
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I am amazed at the courage of Christians I have met in countries where it is illegal to share the Good News of Jesus. They boldly go to their family, friends, and neighbours to share what Jesus has done in their lives. Their courage reminds me of the fearlessness of the apostle Paul, who wrote this in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” That was meant to be more than simply Paul’s testimony. It is a call to each of us to boldly share Jesus with all who we connect with. The worst we face in this country for doing so is to be thought of as being overly religious – we might face opposition, but nothing nearly as severe as what Paul faced, along with many of our brothers and sisters in our world today. Do not be ashamed of the gospel – purposefully share Jesus with those the Lord brings across your path today. It is the power of God, still, bringing them salvation.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley