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I’m Not Ashamed – Part 1

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5

‘There was a time I was a little boy/ When I said I’d follow You/ But the years have caused the flame/ To burn much stronger now/ And I’m not burning down any of my bridges/ But I’m burning up inside/ To flee from my religion and love my neighbor more… I’m not ashamed of the Gospel/ I’m not ashamed of the One I love.’

The Delirious song above really struck a chord (in more ways than one) back in the day, perhaps because bits of ‘Christian culture’ are easy to be ashamed of. The idea of fleeing from empty acts of religion towards a practical loving attitude certainly makes sense. Follow that with unashamed adoration of God and you’re on to a winner. It might seem hard to know how to turn away from the negative bits of ‘Christian culture’ while keeping hold of God and fellowship. But ‘Christian culture’ and the Gospel aren’t the same thing. The Gospel is good news. The Gospel is forgiveness, love and acceptance. The Gospel lives for a world bigger than ‘Christian culture.’ The Gospel always looks to include everyone. Any aspect of religion that doesn’t come from that – drop it. Why? Because God’s Word is freedom and adoption. God’s the one to judge, not us. The Gospel is so beautiful that it’s impossible to be ashamed of.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for saving a miserable soul like me – not only saving me, but wanting to use me as an agent of Your presence to those who hurt. In Jesus’ Name, Amen