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 15 of 27

THE GOSPEL--ACCOMPANIED BY THE SPIRIT

One of the chief reasons for the goodness of the Gospel is the Spirit Who accompanies it. "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet 1:12). While this refers to the initial proclamation of the Gospel, it is not limited to it. Wherever the Gospel is preached, the Holy Spirit is active, influencing, working, and impacting upon the hearts of the hearers.

The Spirit's Convicting Ministry

The Gospel would not be "good" if it were not for the Holy Spirit. He convinces us of our own sin, of Christ's righteousness, and of the judgment of the devil (John 16:8-11). In Christ's delineation of the conviction work of the Holy Spirit, clear reference to the Gospel is made. "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged" NKJV.

Observe the Christ-centeredness of the Spirit's convicting work. Sin is seen at it's very root: "because they do not believe in Me." Righteousness is related to the savior going back to the Father. Satan, the ruler of this world, is affirmed to have been judged already. It is the Gospel of Christ that proclaims all of these things. Jesus is declared to be the appointed Object of our faith. His righteousness, and His alone, has satisfied the Father. In His death, the Lord Jesus "destroyed the devil" (Heb 2:14). Working with this Gospel perspectives, the Holy Spirit convinces the tender heart their reality, inducing the hearers to call upon the name of the Lord.

The hearers on the day of Pentecost were "pricked in their hearts," or cut to the heart. They cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). What cause their hearts to be "pricked?" This was the result of the Spirit's powerful work.

Do you wonder why the Gospel is so powerful--so effective in accomplishing the purpose of God? It is because wherever it is preached, the powerful Spirit goes to work. If a sinner hears the Gospel, the Spirit awakens him to his need of a Savior, the adequacy of the Savior, and the defeat of the arch foe. If a believer hears the Gospel, the Spirit ministers comfort and strength to the heart, purging the conscience, and inscribing the Law upon the heart. That is good news!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus for a Gospel that is living and powerful through the work of Your own Holy Spirit.

-- Tomorrow: THE POWER OF GOD --