Romans 1:16b-17 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. 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.”
All of a sudden there was
no power to the truck. It sounded like something broke as the engine stalled
and I pulled it to the side of the road. Nothing was leaking from the underside
of the engine. The fuel gauge showed that the tank was half full. There was no
funny smell or smoke coming from the exhaust system. Why was there nothing
moving?
We can talk about Bible
facts and figures all day long. We can explain the analogies and metaphors.
Many will sing the praises of the King James Version’s melodic readings in the
“old English”. Questions about dinosaurs not being listed in the creation story
will prompt confusion. On we will go with sermons and studies that speak to
political issues of our day and the blight of the poor among us. Such things
make for wonderful discussions,
interesting conversations and puzzling facts; yet all without a power to change
hearts and minds.
Paul’s pride is in the gospel because it is there that
God’s power is released. In the gospel God’s powerful Spirit moves in on the
audience to bring salvation to men, women and children. The gospel is good news
for those striving to make sense of life or find freedom from physical or
mental bondage. The power of the message of the cross comes in the form of the
Holy Spirit who brings change and renewal to the individual. Without seeing
Him, the individual finds hope, help and faith in Christ. Their life begins to
reflect the effects of Him who loved us enough to give His life as a ransom for
us.
