Power!

Power!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 KJV

As you read the verses before today's extract, you get the clear message of the power of the gospel of God, which, in simple terms, is His Son Jesus Christ. Paul introduces himself to us as a messenger of this gospel, with the privilege of serving as a servant of the gospel, and in the specific office of an apostle. For all who will speak about the gospel of Christ, you must first have a personal experience of the power that is in this gospel. It is not first about the office or title, but about knowing firsthand the power available in the gospel. Have you experienced it? 

Paul had, and he could stake his life on it. It didn't matter what people said or did; he knew who God is; he had experienced the power firsthand when he was called on his way to Damascus, and he had seen the gospel at work in other people's lives in the course of his ministry. He could then stand up and speak the words of today's extract. Before you just repeat them as empty words, do you know this Jesus or the power that brings salvation to all men? 

This power was made manifest on earth when Jesus was raised from the dead, and that same power is still very much at work, setting men free and setting them on the path of eternal life. We couldn't pay the debt we owed due to sin, and nothing we had or offered could take away the guilt and weight of sin, so we were in trouble either way. It was the power of God, made manifest through Jesus, when He died and rose again, that the debt was fully paid up, and the weight and penalty of sin fully atoned for. 

Now, we can stand in the light of these benefits and share our story, like Paul. We are what we are by the grace made available in and through Christ. No matter what comes next, our eternal hope is sealed because His power has made it possible. Do you know this power? Have you experienced Him? It is also worthy of note to emphasise that whilst I insist on not being ashamed of the gospel of Christ, I must also not be a shame to that same gospel. Am I promoting it, making it attractive to other people? His time of favour is here.