“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” -Romans 1:8 ESV
Immediately following the Apostle Paul’s introduction in the letter to the Romans his primary statement to his reader is his gratitude for their faith in Christ. Their faith was so strong that as the apostle notes, it was “proclaimed in all the world!” Merriam-Webster defines the word proclaim as to “give outward indication of; to praise or glorify openly or publicly.” Their faith was open and public for all to see in a world which approved of not only public humiliation, but brutal death sentences for those who dedicated their lives to Christ. We might be afraid of what our neighbor will think about our faith in Christ but we should be encouraged to know we are not alone in our faith as our world grows darker. Not only do we stand with the believers in our past, but Jesus Christ who has suffered far more, taking upon Himself our sins before we ever loved Him. (Eph. 5:1-2) Do you live in a way which proclaims your faith to the world?
Pray for the Lord to give you boldness to live openly for Him in a world which is growing more hostile toward those who believe.
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