Bible Studies
Romans 1:16&17 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes... for in the gospel the righteousness from God is revealed. A righteousness that is by faith from first to last…”
Thesaurus Fun:
Salvation – deliverance, rescue, recovery, escape, liberation, freedom
Believe – accept as true, trust in, rely on, count on, commit to, be sure about, confidence, expectation
The Power of God
The word “gospel” simply means “good news”. That good news is this; we are all fallen – all have sinned (Romans 3:23) – and cannot be righteous on our own, but God – in the person of Jesus Christ – stepped down into this world and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin and rose again “that we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4)”. Through Him we are reconciled to God by faith. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). God has decided to save us and change us through faith in His Son. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword… it discerns the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
The “good news” is that we can be saved. Someone may ask, “What am I saved from? Hell?” Not only are we saved from hell, but we are saved from the wrath of God upon sin, from guilt, from the second death (which is eternal separation from God), and from the power and trap of sin - we are set free from the law of sin and death so that we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6) and to our fleshly desires which only do us harm in the end. For in our natural (that is; fallen) selves we can say with Paul – “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I don’t do, but what I hate I keep doing (Romans 7:15)”. And later; “What a wretched man I am! Who will save me from this body of death? But thanks be to God who rescues me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25)”. This is how we are saved; “because you belong to Him (Jesus Christ), the power of His life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:2).” The righteousness from God is right standing with Him (forgiveness) and a new nature which enables us to live a new life (Romans 6:4). This is all done by faith in God through the power of His Holy Spirit who is at work in us (Philippians 2:13), and not through our own human effort (Galatians 3:3), but it is “by faith from first to last (Romans 1:17)”. But this is no mere intellectual assent. For of this Scripture says, “even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19)”. What Scripture always means by believing, faith, and trust are essentially the same thing. It is something you act on and count on and depend on. It is something that changes all of your life for the rest of your life. This is, “saving faith” any other kind of “faith” is dead (James 2:17&26).
Therefore, no matter that the world may persecute and ridicule us for it. The gospel is the means by which God has decided to display the power of salvation through the inward work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be ashamed of it for it is through this same gospel that we have been saved, set free from sin and judgment and made children of God. God has commanded that this gospel be preached in all the world (Matthew 28:19). Even if we are not those who go to foreign places to spread the gospel, we are still to let our light shine before men (Matthew 5:16). We are called to be salt and light and to always be ready to give account of the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). Therefore; know it, rely on it, live it out, and talk about it.
Point to Ponder:
How well do you think you understand the gospel? Could you accurately share it with someone? Do you know exactly what it is that you believe? Has your belief/faith changed your life? Are you ready and willing to share God’s “good news” with others? Are you prepared for the persecution that might come your way when you do?
Let’s pray, “Our God in heaven, may Your Name be exalted in all the earth! We thank You for the good news of Your Son, Jesus, who died for us so that our sins could be forgiven and so that through Him we may come to You to find mercy and receive eternal life. We thank You also for Your word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, which shows to us Your salvation and Your will so that we may believe. Thank You for loving us and saving us from slavery to sin. Help us, O God, to clearly understand the gospel and to be able to share this good news with others. May we never be ashamed of Your gospel or Your word. May we never be ashamed or afraid to stand in You and to stand for truth! You are the solid rock, therefore, plant our feet firmly on You that we might not be shaken. May the power of Your word and of Your Holy Spirit penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. When persecution comes, give us strength and help us to be faithful. We thank You that You hear and answer us. Amen.”
See these songs: Megaphone for Your Grace, Shine
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