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 18 of 27

ERRONEOUS VIEW OF THE POWER

For some, "Divine power" speaks of coercion or overpowering. That God is capable of overpowering men cannot be denied. We have Cain, Nebuchadnezzar, Sennacarib, Judas, and Ananias and Sapphira as examples. But such overpowering was never to bless; never to bring closer to God; never to open the eyes of the understanding. Even in the case of Saul of Tarsus, stricken down by Divine glory on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), the intent was more to arrest his attention than bring him a blessing. Even his sins were not dealt with until three days later when he was confronted by one of Christ's disciples. Also, when Daniel, fainted under the weight of a revelation from heaven (Dan 10:8-17), it was not the sign of an unusual personal blessing. Rather it denoted the effects of profound revelation and insight upon the soul.

A message that represents being knocked down, or "slain," by the Spirit as a superior blessing, is not a Scriptural representation. On the surface, it is more akin to what happened to wicked Herod (Acts 12:22-23), than what occurs in those who believe the Gospel. I realize this will cause objections to be raised among some of my readers. However, when the Spirit chose to comment on the greatness of the power associated with the Gospel, He did not relate it to a single overt event that occurs in the body. Those who perceive this to be a superior experience of Divine power need to present us with some Divine affirmation that substantiates that is true.

This power--"the power of God"--is in order to salvation. It is not for an isolated experience discerned by the senses and rooted in this world. Salvation is the objective, and the Gospel is God's appointed means of effecting that objective.

The Power is Related to Preaching

I have heard it said, "I had rather see a good sermon than hear one." This is a trite saying that betrays a near-total lack of familiarity with the salvation of God. What is announced by the Gospel cannot be seen with the natural eye. You cannot see the removal of the sins of the world. You cannot see the world being reconciled to God. You cannot see the destruction of the devil or the spoiling of principalities and powers. The blotting out of the handwriting of ordinances that was against us cannot be seen in human conduct. No person was ever converted by what they saw--not even those who saw God manifest in the flesh of Jesus Christ. Faith comes by hearing, not seeing--not even feeling (Rom 10:17).

The lives of the godly can induce inquiry, but they cannot bring spiritual understanding. Moral power is not disseminated through the lives of the godly, but by the preaching of the Gospel of Christ! The church has gotten away from this, and thus it is nearly bereft of the power of God. This is the point of Paul's remarkable statement to the Corinthians. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be EMPTIED OF ITS POWER. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ THE POWER OF GOD AND THE WISDOM OF GOD" (1 Cor 1:17-23, NIV). This text will provide some excellent insights into the power of the Gospel.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, grant me grace and understanding to perceive the reason for, and the glory of, Your magnificent power.

-- Tomorrow: NOT SENT TO BAPTIZE --