Paul Exalts the Gospel of Christ
Romans
1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as
it is written, “The just shall live
by faith.” NKJV
The Apostle Paul has introduced himself to these
Roman Christians and told them how much he prays for them and how he longs to
come to them to impart some spiritual gifts to them for building up the body of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Now Paul introduces and exalts the very thing that made
him what he was (1 Corinthians 15:50)
and that is the gospel of Christ. It is the very same gospel of Christ death,
burial, and resurrection from the dead that made these men, women, boys, and
girls in Rome what they now are in Christ and because of Him. It is by Christ
gospel that lost men and women receive grace (unmerited favor from God; Divine
influence upon the heart from God) that enables them to be new creatures
transformed from their former state of separation and alienation from God on
account of their sin.
Paul says that not only does he want to preach it to
them in Rome but that he is not ashamed of the gospel. The word gospel means
good news or good message. It is a very wonderful thing to receive good news
from someone whether you know the person or not. The gospel only becomes good
news to those who hear, heed, and hasten to the bad news first. Example the bad
news comes to a Dad and Mom that the building their son and daughter worked in
has collapsed on all of the occupants. However, the good news for them is that
their son and daughter have been rescued and freed from the wreckage and found alive
with only minor injuries. The Apostle Paul is here only describing for us what
this gospel does for the soul that believes. In Romans 1:16 Paul uses 3 key words that highlight for us or summarizes
for us exactly what the gospel of Christ is and does for the soul of sinful men
and women.
The first word is the English word power and it is translated from the
Greek word dunamis which means force
(literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by
implication a miracle itself). This Greek word dunamis is also where our English word dynamite is derived from.
The gospel of Christ is the dynamite of God for the sinful souls of men and
women that can and will explode that sin sick soul (Mark 2:16-17) and it will be made well by the Great Physician (Jesus
Christ). The second word in Romans 1:16
is the primary preposition unto which
comes from the Greek word eis (it is
pronounced like our English word ice) which literally means to or into (indicating
the point reached or entered), of place or time or purpose or result. It is
this powerful explosive gospel that places or unites a lost soul with Jesus
Christ in Oneness for all eternity (John
6:37 & John 10:28). The third word in Romans 1:16 is the English word salvation
and it is translated from the Greek word soteria
which means rescue or safety (physically or morally); deliver or save. It is
this gospel of Christ that comes to the eternal rescue of the soul enslaved in
and by sin and delivers the enslaved sinful soul from sins grip and clutches
and places the soul in the safe care of Jesus Christ (John 10:10) for the remainder of the earthly life and for all
eternity after the earthly life.
Therefore, we see in brief summary that the gospel
of Christ is God’s power manifested to rescue enslaved sinful humanity bound
for hell. This gospel Paul says is God’s only manner or method of reuniting
Himself with anyone who believes it Jew or Gentile. The gospel of Christ is the
only way a soul can be counted righteous before a holy God (Romans 1:17 & Philippians 3:9). All
who hear and believe this good news are given faith from God and directed by
God to walk or live every day of their remaining life on earth by that faith
trusting in God and His word from Genesis to Revelation (Galatians 3:11). The Apostle Paul only describes for us the good
news here but beginning in Romans 1:18
he is going to demonstrate or define for us the bad news of man’s condition of
sinfulness and unbelief that has and will continue to incur the wrath of God if
the gospel of Christ is not believed and received and this we will discuss in
detail on the next session if it is my Lord Jesus’ will (James 4:15).
“Thus, a sinner credits the threatenings of God, and
fears. This is faith. He credits His promises, and hopes. This is faith. He
feels that he is lost, and relies on Jesus Christ for mercy. This is faith.
And, in general, faith is such an impression on the mind made by truth as to
lead us to feel and act as if it were true; to have the appropriate feelings,
and views, and conduct under the commands, and promises, and threatenings of
God.” Albert Barnes
“Avoid a sugared Gospel as you would shun sugar of
lead. Seek that Gospel which rips up and tears and cuts and wounds and hacks
and even kills, for that is the Gospel that makes alive again. And when you
have found it, give good heed to it. Let it enter into your inmost being. As the
rain soaks into the ground, so pray the Lord to let His Gospel soak into your
soul.” Charles Spurgeon
If
you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this
from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear
Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I
believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from
the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn
from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control
of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reader, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
No comments:
Post a Comment