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 8 of 27

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
The Heart of the Gospel

The heart of the Gospel is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the One who "satisfied" the Father, opening the way to Him for us (Isa 53:11; John 14:6; Heb10:19-20). The "glad tidings" are not messages of works but a Worker. He, and He alone, has implemented the will of God, thereby enabling Him to be both "Just and the Justifier of him that believes in Jesus" (Rom 3:24-25). The Gospel is them message of One who accomplished what could not otherwise be accomplished. Because of Him, salvation is right, and God is glorified in the rescue of sinners.

THE SON OF GOD

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1). A gospel that does not center in Jesus as the Son of God is no gospel at all! Coming from God, and in the behalf of God, the Son successfully addressed the human dilemma. The Gospel is the good news of Who Jesus is, and what He accomplished and is accomplishing in our behalf.

No wonder the Gospel is related to Christ's Sonship! "The gospel concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh" (Rom 1:3). "For God is my witness, Whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son . . ." (Rom 1:9). According to the Savior, God revealed to Peter who Jesus really was. When he saw it, Peter confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt 16:16). He is the "only begotten Son" of God -- the sole "Heir of all things" (John 3:16; Heb 1:3). He is the prophesied "Son" whose name is "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace," and the government is upon His shoulder (Isa 9:6-7).

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

"Christ" means the Chosen or Anointed. The Gospel is the good news of God's chosen and anointed One--the Messiah. He was sent to deliver us, and He is appointed to bring us to glory. Your salvation depends upon Him, and the Gospel apprizes us of that fact. "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" (Rom 1:16). " . . . I have fully preached the gospel of Christ" (Rom 15:19).

The prophets spoke of God seeking a Man--one who would stand in the behalf of the people. Among all of the sons of men, no one could be found that was adequate for task of delivering humanity from the devastating grip of sin. "Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him" (Isa 59:16; 63:5; Jer 5:1; Ezek 22:30). The Gospel is the announcement of that Person--the Son of God!

The Gospel announces that a Man has been found that satisfies both God and man. He pleased God by bearing the stroke of Divine justice, and returning to sit at the right hand of the "Majesty in the heavens." The Spirit summarizes the glory of the message in Hebrews 8:1. "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." A gospel that does not depict Jesus as the TOTAL remedy and ONLY access to God is not gospel!

PRAYER POINT: Father, how I praise You for a message of good news--the announcement of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has opened the way to You!

-- TOMORROW: THE REVELATION OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD --