August 18, 2026

I AM NOT ASHAMED; I AM UNSTOPPABLE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“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. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”

Romans 1:16–17 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

This is the entire thesis statement for the book of Romans. There is an incredible amount of truth packed into these two short verses, so let’s jump right in.

1. Paul’s Passion for the Gospel

Paul declares boldly that he is "not ashamed" of the Good News about Christ.

As a grandfather, I’ve noticed how effortlessly my grandkids seem to find their way into almost every conversation I have. It doesn’t take long to figure out what someone cares about most. Spend five minutes talking with someone, and their passions will naturally surface:

• Men often gravitate toward sports, projects, cars, or work achievements.

• Women often talk about family, a great deal they found, or a new project.

If you ask the right questions, discovering what someone loves is easy—because we naturally talk about what we are passionate about. Paul was so captivated by what Jesus had done that he couldn't help but talk about the Gospel everywhere he went.

2. The Power of the Gospel

Throughout Paul’s letters, Jesus is always the priority. On the road to Damascus, Paul had a dramatic, real-world encounter with the risen Lord that transformed him overnight from a violent persecutor of the church into a passionate preacher of the Gospel. That single encounter changed him forever.

Because of what he experienced, Paul calls the Gospel "the power of God at work." The Greek word Paul uses for power here is dynamis—the root word from which we get dynamite.

Paul knew firsthand that the Gospel isn't just nice advice or moral philosophy; it is raw, divine power. God’s grace and mercy save everyone who believes, forgiving our past and setting us free to become the people He created us to be.

3. Righteousness by Faith, Not Works

Paul was raised as a strict Pharisee, taught from childhood that being right before God was the direct result of meticulously keeping the Law of Moses and observing Jewish rituals. For Paul, performance and rule-keeping were the only path to God's acceptance. Then came Jesus.

Paul discovered the revolutionary truth of the Gospel: we are made right with God not by our behavior, but by trusting in His grace. Salvation isn't earned through our own performance; it is received through faith from start to finish.

When Paul encountered Jesus, his worldview was rocked by God’s unearned love and mercy. Man's part isn't to work harder to earn God's favor—it's simply to place our faith in what Jesus has already accomplished on the cross.

Reflection & Application

Take a few moments to evaluate your own heart against these three pillars:

• Are you passionate about the Gospel? Are you unashamed to share what God has done in your life? Does Jesus naturally work His way into your everyday conversations with friends, family, and coworkers?

• Do you still believe in the power of the Gospel? Do you truly believe that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection has the power to transform anyone—no matter how far away from God they seem?

• Are you relying on faith or falling back into work? It’s easy to start our journey in grace and then slowly start measuring our worth by our performance. Do you truly believe that faith in Christ is enough to make you right with God?

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, open my eyes daily to recognize the incredible, life-transforming power of the Gospel. Bring to my remembrance that this message doesn't just change individual lives, it can transform entire families, communities, and nations.

Forgive me for the times I've been silent or ashamed. Give me a bold, joyful passion to talk about what Jesus has done in my life.

Guard my heart from legalism. Help me never to add human rules, religious expectations, or performance demands to the free gift of Your grace. Teach me to rest completely in faith from start to finish. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”