Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Gospel is not a farce, it is a saving Force.

Romans.1: 16 and 17. 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, and also the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith: as it is written, he shall live by faith.

Paul began by saying that he was proud of the gospel which was his privilege to preach. It is amazing to think of the background of this statement. Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi, chased out from Thessalonica, smuggled out of Beroea, and laughed at in Athens and in Corinth, his message was foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews. In such a pressed background Paul says he was proud of the gospel of Christ. Here we can see three foundation pillars of Paul’s belief and message: they are salvation, faith, and justification.

Salvation: Paul mentioned here physical and spiritual salvation; salvation from physical illness, salvation from destructive forces, salvation from sin, and salvation from the wrath of God. The salvation that God offers is for everyone who believes, regardless of cast, color, or creed.

Faith: The Christian faith came to the desperate world offering salvation that would keep humanity safe in time and in eternity. According to Paul faith is the enduring fidelity which is the seal of a real soldier of Jesus Christ. Faith is a conviction that something is true; the Gospel is true and powerful. Paul tells the Corinthians that, Jesus did not rise from the dead, their faith is vain. Paul says “we walk by faith not by sight.” Faith means total acceptance and absolute trust.

Justification: Salvation by Grace through faith unto justifying. If God justifies a sinner it means that He considers him or her not a sinner at all. God treats that person as a child to be loved. We go to a God radiating forgiving and redeeming love. Justification is the right relationship between man and God. This the Gospel offers to humanity and the world as a whole.

Paul defines the Gospel in terms of ‘power’. The Greek word is dunamis, from which we get our two words, dynamite and dynamo. The Gospel is spiritual dynamite, the greatest force in all worlds. We can see the power of the Gospel in the book of Acts, on the day of Pentecost, on the road to Damascus, in the jail at the Ephesus, in the city of Samaria, and all across Asia Minor. The Gospel is a living force, not a farce. This Gospel is a transforming power for Paul in the city of Damascus. It is the Gospel of forgiveness, love, and justification. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel; because he had experienced the effect of its transforming power in his own life and in the lives of countless others. It is our greatest heritage and privilege to be proud of this Gospel and the most wonderful gift that we can share with the world.

Prayer
 O Lord, thanks for the power of the Gospel. Enable me to share this for the salvation and justification of others without any shame. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


 Thought for the Day
“The power of Gospel can turn the worst into best”

P. T. Mathew, M. T. C. Dallas Farmers Branch

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