Romans 1:16-17
“16 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. 17 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.’”

Mark 12:29-31
““29 The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

I am not ashamed to believe that the Christ calls us to love God first and foremost, more than myself even, and to love others as I love myself.

I am not surprised that His message is such a radical departure from how we humans have it wrong from the beginning of time.

I am not surprised that His message hasn’t changed over time, but ours has. Christ changed the worldview 180° from honor generic to other centric.

What’s wrong with this message? Why do people struggle with Christ as God? Maybe it’s what religions have done in His name? The crazy thing is that’s not what He’s about. He’s not about the religious rules, the legalistic framework, that men construct. Quite the opposite! Quite the opposite. We’ve been building walls between us and God forever, Christ lived and died to tear them down.

I’m not ashamed to believe there’s a God who created the universes and earth. I’m not ashamed to believe that we are to love sacrificially. That’s how God wants it. I bet you say the same thing. Love is good, live is right.

Then, where’s the problem with following Christ like He tells us to? Is it the religion? So, I challenge you – find a church that puts Jesus first, puts God first; that recognizes that everything flows from the greatest commandments, not following laws.

If you can’t do that,maybe your honor is to important. Maybe you’ve decided that you know better. Maybe you’ve decided that you have enough of the message and don’t need more. Maybe you’re ashamed.

I am not ashamed to be in love with God and to want to please Him, to follow Him, to worship Him.

Are you?