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 16 of 27

THE POWER OF GOD

Divine power is critical to our salvation! "The Gospel of Christ is the power of God!" That is a remarkable statement. The "power of God" is a phrase with which believers are familiar. It speaks of the implementation of Divine objective. The power of God is employed by God for the purpose and will of God. It cannot be exploited by men; i.e., used for personal gain or the promotion of things unrelated to God's "eternal purpose."

With God, "power" involves authority as well as strength. Among men, it is possible to have strength, yet have no authority to use it -- or to have authority, but no strength to exercise it. But it is not so with God. He has authority and the strength to fully implement his purpose. His "power" is no for mere show. it is certainly not for entertainment. Men perform feats of strength which serve no purpose other than momentary entertainment and a break from monotony.

Simon the sorcerer, who was confronted with the strong preaching of Philip the evangelist, was himself once considered "the power of God" (Acts 8:10). But he was NOT the power of God, as is evidenced by his reaction to Peter and John. After he "believed" and was "baptized" (8:13), he saw Peter and John used by God to confer the Spirit by the laying on of hands. Simon sought to buy the ability to do what Peter and John did, and was soundly rebuked by Peter. Simon did not perceive the Gospel. He was distracted by the visible, thereby warning us of the danger of looking at "the things that are seen" (2 Cor 4:16-17). We must remember, the power of God is for the purpose of God. It simp;ly cannot be used to fulfill a personal agenda.

Scripture declares that Christ is "the power of God." "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:24). God has localized all of His power in the Son! That "power" is now devoted to our salvation! We are brought out of sin by that power. We are also kept out of sin by it. By it the Lord Jesus is bringing us to glory.

Because the Gospel is essentially the message of Christ, it is said to be "the power of God." By this expression, the Spirit is saying God's power works through, and in harmony with, the "glorious Gospel." The Gospel is to Divine power what the water pots were to the wine created by Jesus (John 2:9ff). It is to salvation what the "word of God" was to creation (Heb 11:3). The Gospel is the appointed container for the transmission of God's power to the recipients of salvation. It is the designated means by which we experience the power of God unto, or in order to, salvation.

If the Gospel is not preached, the power of God is not brought to bear upon men, and they are not saved. Divine power does not come through human ingenuity or well-laid plans. It is not the mere power of persuasion that turns men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Conversion is not the result of salesmanship or religious stratagems. If it is salvation that is sought, then the Gospel must be preached and believed.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for a Gospel of great power!

-- Tomorrow: THE VEHICLE--A MESSAGE --