How easy is it for you to tell others about something that gives you joy, something that you are proud of? It usually flows out of us quite naturally. I remember hearing past Lutheran Women in Mission President Ida Mall once say, “You never ask permission to tell people about your grandkids. You just do it!”

What if I asked you to tell another person something you are ashamed of? Most of us would not be willing to do that. We hide those things from others at all costs.

Paul asks us to consider why we spend most of our time acting as though we are ashamed of the Gospel.

Romans 1:14–17 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

The tremendous news of what Jesus did for us through His birth and life and death and resurrection makes all the difference for us now and forever. He gives us forgiveness as a gift, the certainty of life and salvation, things we would not have without Him. It is truly the best news we will ever hear: “The righteous will live by faith.” It gives us the greatest joy we have.

Lord, help us to rejoice in the news of Jesus our Savior, and empower us to share Him in our words and actions. Amen.