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Romans 1:16-17
BY WILLIAM CHANEY Jr.

"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.'"

Paul is challenging us to be steadfast and bold in our beliefs.

Proclaiming Jesus Christ is easy among other believers, but what is your testimony and life style around non-believers?

Do you compromise the truth of God's Word in order to maintain social acceptance and popularity? Do you bend your principals to conform to the majority opinion so that others will accept you and not think that you are different?

We all want to be accepted and included in the social groups, career positions and political areas that we choose to be in. This should not happen at the expense of our belief and faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Our salvation is a precious gift that comes with an awesome responsibility.

I recently met two Burmese women who were Christian. They shared how if someone were working in the government and converted to Christianity they had to hide the fact that they were converted or share the Gospel and risk losing job, home and social status.

They continued to tell their story, that they had lived this experience and this is why they are now in the United States.

They were both doctors who began telling their patients about God's redeeming love and the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

This was a conscious decision because they knew that when the government officials heard about it, they would come to get them. Their families were already packed and the escape route planned. Proclaiming Jesus was more important than all of their earthly possessions.

Are you willing to stand up and not be ashamed of your relationship with Jesus Christ even if it cost you all of your worldly processions?

I pray that God gives us boldness to each share our testimonies of how life has been changed after meeting Jesus.

The Rev. William Chaney Jr. is a Guide in the Western Region.