DECEMBER 6 – Reading 340

by John Christian Pra | December 6

“THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL”
(Acts 20:1-6; Romans 1:1-4:25)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16

If I were to ask you what the gospel of Jesus Christ is, would you be able to answer? Most of us have a working definition that the word “gospel” means “good news.” We could probably bring it a little further to talk about the gospel being the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again giving us life. But is that all?

When I was in college, I remember struggling to put language to this word that I heard my whole life. The term “gospel” is used often in church settings, but I struggled to know the full implication of this power-packed message. In fact, Paul comes to Rome “eager to preach the gospel” (Romans 1:15). Why was he so excited about this opportunity? 

Paul knew something we often forget. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a message of good news about what Jesus has done. It’s a message that is accompanied with power and has the ability to set free, change lives, and bring forth a new reality. 

Words have power. They help create our understanding of reality. Paul saw the gospel of Jesus Christ as a message filled with powerful words that had the ability to create a new reality in the lives of those who hear it and believe it. This message is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Through this message, power flows for life. All we need to do is believe it. 

The gospel message Paul is proclaiming is worked out throughout the rest of Romans. It is a gospel that saves us from the consequences of sin (Romans 5). It is a gospel that frees us from sin (Romans 6). It is a gospel that makes us sons and daughters who are never able to be separated from God’s love (Romans 8). This is a powerful, life-changing message that we need to know the depths of. 

Do you know the true power of the gospel? It’s time for us to apply the full benefits of the gospel to our lives. 

Reflections:

• If someone asked you to explain the gospel to them, what would you say to them?

   

• What benefits of the gospel of Jesus Christ are you not fully living in today? 

Application: 

• Share the gospel message of Jesus Christ with someone today, sharing the power of God for salvation with them.

   

• Search the book of Romans for what the gospel message changes in your life. Write those truths down and pray them.  

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross and rising again on the third day so that life could come to me. Thank you for this powerful gospel message that has brought new life and reality to me. I pray that you would help me see the depths of your gospel and receive the power in all areas of my life. I ask that you would give me an eager boldness, like Paul, to spread this message everywhere I go. Thank you for this simple, yet profound message that is still changing lives today. I love you. Amen.