A Jot From John
In the language of the text the apostle Paul makes a brave confession – that he is not ashamed of the gospel. When we read the story of his great life, we know that he was telling the truth. And now he tells us why. Let us listen!
1. The gospel is a power. Not an impotent thing, but a dynamic thing. Not physical or muscular in nature: but mental, moral, and spiritual.
2. It is the power of God.
A. Satan has a power, or an influence.
B. The world has a power—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, etc. (1 John 2:15-16.)
C. But the gospel of Christ is the divine power—God’s mighty influence which operates in the heart (mind) of man.
3. It is the power of God unto salvation. Many powers are destructive in nature—the flood, the storm, the earthquake, the nuclear bomb, evil literature, falsehood, etc. But the gospel is the saving power. It snatches man from the flame, saves him from the deadliest foe—sin.
A. From the power of sin.
B. From the practice of sin.
C. From the pollution of sin.
D. From the guilt of sin.
E. From the wages of sin. (Romans 6:23.)
4. It is the power of God to save without partiality: “To everyone.” (Mark 16:15; Acts 10:34.) This blessed fact commends the gospel to the hearts (mind) of men all over the world. Other religions are national, racial. The Jewish religion, for instance.
5. The power of God unto salvation on the simplest terms: “To everyone that believeth.” The saving faith is not a lifeless thing, but a living principle—something “by” which we live. (Gal. 5:6; James 2:17.)
6. It is a revealing power: “For therein is revealed the righteousness of God.” God’s character—his goodness, his justice, his mercy, his wisdom, his will—is made known to us in the gospel. His Blessed Gospel! It brings God very near! (Matt. 1:23; John 14:8-9.)
Having been saved by the gospel, we should not be ashamed of the gospel. There are times when we should be ashamed of ourselves but never is there a time when we should be ashamed of the gospel. We should not be ashamed to declare it, to defend it, to manifest its power in our lives. The man who is ashamed of the Christ (or his gospel), of him the Christ will be ashamed when he comes in his glory. (Mark 8:38.)
Onward Rejoicing,
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
