Power!

Power!

Romans 1:16 AMP

[16] I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Both the writer and audience of this letter are equally important. Paul the writer had his own interesting past. He came from harassment and conspiracy to murder, to a place of total and absolute trust in God. He was a Jew who was given grace to minister the gospel of Jesus to those who were not Jews, but were also targets of the plan of salvation laid out by God. As we read in the introductory part of this letter, all of us, Jews and Gentiles alike, have all received grace and have been called into the obedience that comes from faith. The plan of salvation, as laid down by God, was not for only the Jews; it is for everyone. No one is exempt from grace.

It is in this light that the verse above can best be understood. Paul had seen firsthand what it means to be saved. He had experienced the mercy of God; how else can you explain this man's experiences? He had supported the murder of Stephen, and was on his way to do more harm, yet the mercy of God found and saved him. His past was wiped clean, and he was given a mandate to bring the gospel to those who he would normally not focus on. This is part of the message about Christ; He was put to death for the sin of the world; Jew or not, and He was brought back to life for the eternal redemption of the world, Jew or not. There is no favouritism with God. 

Paul understood this, and his earthly ministry reflected this understanding. He was the ideal personal reflection of the assignment He was given by God. He wrote to both Jews and non-Jews with the same message: Jesus Christ is the power of God. Jesus is the author of salvation for all men. He has sealed life for all who will come and surrender their lives to Him. As always, this is a free gift that had been made available to all men. Anyone can come, no matter the weight of the past, or the depth of the stain. It is a gift that does not expire until it actually does expire. That is the sobering message in today's verse too: we all have access to this gift. 

It must however be noted that this gift will not always be there. Response time is of the essence. The gospel of Jesus has power, but it does not force itself on you. It has power to change men and situations, but it will not go against the exercise of your freewill. Jesus is the Wisdom and the Power of God, yet He seeks willing surrender and total submission to Him. I am a beneficiary of the grace of God that brings salvation to all men. I have come to know God; I have seen Him at work in my life and in those close to me. I have seen men with horrible pasts become vessels of honour in God's hands. It is for everyone who believes in the finished work on the cross. Have you submitted to that power? God's time of favour is here. 

Light

Light!

Matthew 5:14 AMP

[14] “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

This chapter is the first recorded sermon of Jesus, after He had been revealed to the world through the ministry of John the Baptist, as well as the public declaration from heaven that He is God's Son. He had also been tempted by the devil, and had overcome, and He had chosen the twelve disciples who would go on to be with Him during His earthly ministry. Talk about a very busy time for Jesus as He sought to impact the world im which He had been placed. It is hard to argue for anything different for anyone who wants to walk with Jesus. If the Son of God had to go through these processes, how much more would we who seek to walk in His steps? 

The One who God backs up will always command an audience. At the time of this first sermon, there was a crowd following Him everywhere. However, at this time, the message was for His disciples, not the crowd. The demands He was laying down were not for the uncommitted majority, but the distinct few that would choose to follow Him. This is testament to the fact that though the commands and instructions of Jesus are for everyone He has made, they do not place a demand for obedience on everyone at the same time. This is why the passage from where the verse above is taken was careful to note that Jesus took His disciples to the top of the mountain, and taught them. 

Am I one of the distinct few, or part of the uncommitted majority? If I know who I am, and I am clear about my allegiance, then the verse above speaks directly to me. Jesus spoke directly to the disciples, referring to them as His Light to the world. This is clear ownership: I do not represent myself at any level. I do not speak of myself at any level. I am simply the representative of the One who calls me His own, and also sends me out to impact the world in which I have been placed. A little bit of Light is enough to deal with the deepest darkness. Even the light from a phone will make a difference. That is the power and impact of light. 

As light, I cannot be ignored. I cannot be put away in a box, and only opened when the need arises. At all times, I am relevant; at all times, I am in the public eye. Whenever I act or speak, I am putting out indications of who I am, whose I am, and what my allegiances are. The verse above likens me to a city that is set on a hill and cannot be hidden. That city is a beacon that draws men to it. It is a place of refuge for those coming in from darkness and need help. It is a place of comfort for all who have been oppressed and seeking deliverance and safety. Does the above describe me at the moment? Am I truly representing Christ? God's time of favour is here.