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 26 of 27

THEREIN IS REVEALED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

The Gospel of Christ is a vast resource of spiritual wealth. Within it the riches required to save and nourish the soul can be found. Everything taken from man in the fall is fully addressed by the Gospel of Christ. As well, provision for involvement with the Lord throughout all eternity may be found within the Gospel. It is no wonder the Spirit relates the whole of salvation with the Gospel. As it is written, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain" (1 Cor 15:1-2, NKJV).

Notice the centrality of the Gospel. (1) Paul declares the Gospel to the Corinthians once again. (2) This is the message he preached to them in the beginning. (3) They had received the Gospel. (4) They were standing in the Gospel. (5) They were being saved by the Gospel, as they held it firm. It is exceedingly difficult to conceive of any message having such a sweeping affect.

Within the framework of the Gospel, a very special message is delivered. The background for this message is the grievous sore sin has inflicted upon the human race. The message is driven by the very character of God. It is required by the nature of God and the need of mankind. The message is nothing less than the announcement of righteousness for unrighteous man.

Because God Himself is righteous, He can by no means walk with those who are unrighteous. Although there were a some individuals prior to Christ with whom the Lord walked, they were few and far between. Enoch "walked with God," as well as Noah, the "preacher of righteousness" (Gen 5:22-24; 6:9). God, however, yearned for more than companionship with representatives of fallen man. Thus He devised a salvation that could conscientiously be offered to every descendant of Adam.

The Gospel announces righteousness for sinful man. In the Gospel itself "the righteousness of God is revealed." It is revealed as something to be possessed by man. The personal experience of this righteousness is initiated and sustained by faith–by believing the Gospel and heartily embracing it. That is the meaning of "from faith to faith." The NIV reads, "by faith from first to last." The NRSV reads, "through faith for faith."

The righteousness of God belongs to you to the degree of your faith. The Gospel does not simply inform you that God is righteous. Rather, it proclaims that through your faith, that righteousness actually becomes yours. That condition is what qualifies you to come to God, enjoy the fellowship of Christ, and lay hold on the hope set before you.

Later, the Spirit will elaborate on this righteousness. It is not the result of human achievement, or even meticulous obedience. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference" (Rom 3:21-22). Those who imagine righteousness is conferred upon those who keep the whole Law must cast down such an imagination. Rather, it is conferred by God Himself upon the basis of personal "faith in Jesus Christ." The truth of righteousness being imparted upon the basis of faith is consistently and powerfully declared in Scripture. There can be no doubt about it (Rom 3:22-25; 4:9-13; 10:6; Phil 3:9).

When the Gospel is preached, the trembling sinner is informed that a righteousness will be conferred upon him if he will believe the record God has given of His Son. The Gospel brings that righteousness within the reach of fallen humanity. Only faith can take hold of this righteousness–but it CAN grasp it firmly.

What a marvelous message is found in the Gospel. Not only has Jesus removed the offense, He has brought the remedy within our reach! Let no soul tire of speaking or hearing the blessed Gospel. Kept in memory, it will produce the finality of your salvation as well as its initiation.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for a Gospel that brings the news of Your own righteousness provided for our fallen race.

– Tomorrow: CONCLUSION to the Series –