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 6 of 27

THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD

The Gospel announces God's favor--His confirmed favor--toward lost humanity. Unwilling to forsake His offspring, He brought salvation to them through His "own arm" (Isa 63:5). This aspect of the Divine nature was revealed to Israel, although they were unable to receive and profit from it. "Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD" (Jer 31:20). This Divine quality has found its fullest expression in the lord Jesus Christ, the grand Subject of the Gospel.

The first 2,500 years of human history were a provision for men to achieve righteousness on their own. Any inherent goodness in men surely should have surfaced during this protracted period. But this was not the case. The Spirit witnesses, "Nevertheless DEATH REIGNED from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam" (Rom 5:14). There is no record of the infraction of Divine commandments during this time. There was, however, a flagrant universal contradiction of the Divine image, in whose likeness man was created. The Lord's survey of the entirety of mankind yielded an unwavering conclusion: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one" (Rom 3:10-12; Psa 14:2-3).

The next 1,500 years were initiated by the giving of the Law. If information and direction are all man lacked, the law would certainly supply that. Sin was precisely defined, and human conduct was addressed with great specificity. But, alas, the human condition did not improve, not even among those with whom the Law was a covenant.

All of this did not frustrate the intentions of the Lord. Having shown the complete inadequacy of men to save themselves, He took matters into His own hand. What the Law could not do, because it was "weak through the flesh," God did, "sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin" (Rom 8:3). He did not do this merely because we needed it to be done, but because He WANTED to do it. That is grace!

The Gospel is, from this viewpoint, the announcement of the fulfillment of God's benevolent intentions. A sufficient sacrifice has been provided--one that takes away the sins of the world, bringing satisfaction to God and accessibility to men. It is no wonder Paul spoke of his ministry in the following way. "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24). A message that does not focus on the loving favor of God toward mankind is not gospel, and it has no power!

The Gospel is the good news that God's grace is not an empty doctrine, but a reality in which we can "stand" (Rom 5:2; 1 Pet 5:12). A graceless gospel is a false gospel! The Gospel of the grace of God is not the outlining of what men must do, but the proclamation of what God has achieved. It announces that something effective has been done about man's dilemma. God has extended Himself to save humanity, and has done so because He desired to. What is more, the salvation wrought out upon the anvil of eternal purpose is righteous, allowing God to be both "Just and the Justifier of him that believes in Jesus" (Rom 3:26).

When it comes to the grace of God, we are told that it "brings salvation," effectively teaching us to live in strict accord with the will of the Lord (Tit 2:10-12). The death of our blessed Lord is more related to grace than to human need. Thus it is written, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone" (Heb 2:9).

The Gospel announces God WANTED to do something about our condition. But that is not the end of the matter! He DID something about our dilemma. But there is more. He wrapped the truth of His working in a glorious message that not only IS good, but SOUNDS good. The Holy Spirit was dispatched to give this message to men, thereby ensuring its flawless representation (1 Pet 1:12). It is such a marvelous and powerful message that when it is heard and believed, men consistently ASK what they should do.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for telling us of Your grace! Forgive us for being so slow in believing and receiving such a marvelous message. Raise up men who will preach this Gospel with power.

-- TOMORROW: THE GOSPEL OF GOD --