THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

"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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17).

Devotion 5 of 27

A PARTICULAR GOSPEL

In the world, there are many gospels. The Galatians had been diverted from the Gospel of Christ to "another Gospel"--one that was presented as coming from God, but actually was not from Him at all. Of this situation it is written, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another" (Gal 1:6-7).

In solemn words, Paul warned of being taken in by these aberrant gospels. "But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!" (Gal 1:8-9).

There is a general indifference to the "good news" that is represented by many pulpits in this land. Some preach a good news that centers in the family. Others preach one that focuses on the restoration of our country. Still, others proclaim a gospel of the church. There are even some that proclaim the news of justification by the deeds of the law. All such gospels are to be rejected, and we are to let the ones that preach them "be accursed."

A Tender Account

One of the most tender passages in Scripture reveals an unusual event involving an unusual woman. While in the home of Simon, a leper that was a Pharisee (Lk 7:37), "a woman in the city, which was a sinner," entered the house. While He was eating, the woman poured "an alabaster jar of very costly ointment" on Jesus' head. Luke apprises us that "she began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment" (Lk 7:38). Because of her sinful background, those about the table murmured, even questioning the integrity of the Lord Jesus (Matt 26:7-9). The whole event seemed out of place for a person of dignity.

The Lord Jesus was not indifferent about the erroneous assessment of His critics. He revealed the nature of the Gospel in His words. "Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her" (Mat 26:13).

The Gospel is the proclamation of forgiveness by the grace of God. It announces "what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" (Rom 8:3). This unnamed woman provided an excellent example of nature and power of the Gospel. She saw in Jesus what the Gospel proclaims in word! If this woman has no place in the gospel that is being preached, then it is no gospel at all! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is highlighted by this event, despised by Jesus' enemies.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in Jesus' name for a Gospel that is unique, outshining and invalidating all other gospels.

-- TOMORROW: THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD --