I Am Not Ashamed ~ Illuminate Challenge

May 16, 2012 By 4 Comments
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Today we’re hearing from Kathleen at Printable Scripture and what she is learning in Romans this month.

Hi, I’m Kathleen, owner of www.printablescripture.etsy.com. Printable Scripture started off with a desire to continue honing in my skills as a graphic designer. I have always loved beautiful typography. Noticing a lack of simple, elegant scripture posters, I decided to give it a go. It was also a way for me to meditate on the word while designing a poster.



I started this in June 2011, with taking a verse out of each chapter of Proverbs that I read everyday to design into a poster. I posted them online, not expecting much. However, God blessed my work, and things went on from there.

This year, I expanded on the June project, it’s called Project Scripture365. Basically I take a piece of scripture that is relevant to me for that day and turn it into a poster design. Doing this has been challenging, but it has been interesting to see the words God has placed in my heart everyday. His mercies are new every morning!



My hope is to give to people the Word of God to adorn their homes.

“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. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” - Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)



“For I am not ashamed of the gospel…”

Being a Christian in today’s world is not easier. In fact, it has been suggested that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. (source) It doesn’t even take being martyred to know that. There are some environments (for example, schools, workplaces) in which people claim to be “open-minded” but are intolerant towards Christians. Not only that, they even seem to look down on us when we show up cheerful at work and are genuine in our professional relationships.


I don’t necessarily see being “not ashamed” as being “loud and proud”, but rather, consistently living the principles that Christ taught us while He was son of man despite the derision we might encounter. Choosing to forgive when treated unjustly, rendering to “Caesar” what is his, remaining humble, bringing to joyful attitude in your work, being loyal, honest and truthful are things, I’m sure, that puts a smile on Jesus’ face.

It does take courage to be unashamed of the gospel, and we need to keep encouraging each other to stay that way!

“…because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Have you ever tried to share the good news about Jesus to friends that don’t know and follow him? Do they just don’t seem to get it? It took me a while to understand that my allegiance to Christ was because God revealed Himself to me and I encountered Him in a personal way. It’s all in God’s timing. It is their decision what they will do with that revelation when God reveals Himself.

So, for the people you love, be persistent in prayer and be hopeful!

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.“

Somehow, in the middle of writing this, I had sinned by my reaction to an offense against me. (So much happens in between the lines of writing this piece!) “Righteousness” was just not the word I wanted to think about because I had just missed the mark. However, “righteousness” is exactly the word I need to re-understand because we are made right with God by our faith, not by our deeds. It is necessary, of course, to confess with God and make things right with the people involved.

What kind of faith then, are we talking about?

Faith in the gospel. Faith that the good news is Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for us all. Through Him, we are made righteous (right with God).

Best,
Kathleen


What are you learning in this Romans challenge this month?

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Comments

  1. Julie says:
    May 16, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    I’m focusing on living with expectancy. Romans 5:5 “In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary - we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”

    Reply
  2. Julia says:
    May 17, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    this is beautiful! thanks for encouragement to be in the Bible, and the posters are lovely

    Reply

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