The Gospel Power – Romans 1:16
The Gospel Power – Romans 1:16
“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” (Romans 1:16 KJV).
If you are reading this, how would you define power? What is power? Webster’s Dictionary of 1828 defines power as the following: “the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something.” Power is the ability to sustain change eternally.
Some individuals think money is “power.” There are positions in government, politics, corporations, education, religion, and athletics that as a society gives individuals power; however, do these things meet the definition of “power,” which is to sustain change eternally? No, they do not. My thought about money and these positions within these institutions of society is that they have an “illusion of power.” Anything that man creates, or starts, has an end. There is nothing that man creates that can sustain change for eternity. The power that man creates is an “illusion of power.” For this article, let us limit our scope of “power” to religion and Jesus Christ of the Bible.
We have witnessed pastors of organized religion try and create their “own” power. We have seen Pentecostal preachers “slay people in the spirit.” We have seen priests absolve individuals of sin. These are just a few examples of the “illusion of power” within religion. Man cannot slay people in the spirit because the only way to receive the Holy Spirit is to trust in Christ alone. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV). When a person believes in Christ alone for salvation, they receive the Holy Spirit forever, sealing them as a child of God in this lifetime, guaranteeing their inheritance into Heaven. Man cannot forgive other men of their sin; only Jesus Christ can forgive sin. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5 KJV). True power has an eternal change. If a person is reading this, they should be questioning themselves and asking, “what has the power to change something eternally?” The answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Did you know that the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ eternally changes the destination of a person’s life forever? Yes, if a person trusts in Christ alone for salvation: believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection, their eternal destination has changed. They are no longer going to Hell and forever going to Heaven. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:9-17 KJV). Let us focus on Colossian 1:13 (KJV), “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” When a person trusts in Christ alone for salvation, their eternal destination changes, before a person believes in Christ alone for salvation, they were on the trajectory of going to Hell/Lake of Fire (eternally separated from God in Heaven). The very second a person believes in Christ alone for salvation, their eternal destination changes, their trajectory changes, and the believer is immediately going to Heaven and forever will be in Heaven with their Father and Savior. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ eternally changes the destination of every believer: that is POWER!
The Bible tells us not to be ashamed of the “testimony of our Lord” because, again, the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives life. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives immortality. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ abolished death (second death -spiritually separated from God). Not only does the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ abolish death, but it also gives eternal life (life without ceasing, life without end) and immortality (never spiritually die, forever in the presence of our Father and Savior in Heaven). Abolishing death, eternal life, and immortality all happen through the Gospel: that is POWER! “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (II Timothy 1:8-12 KJV). When people read this article, I hope they noticed when it said, “Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV). When a person trusts in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they can know they are immortal, have eternal life, and will never perish (go to Hell/Lake of Fire). All received by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is POWER!
Satan and false teachers want the power, and this is the reason why they keep the Gospel hid from the lost. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:3-6 KJV). Why does Satan want to keep the Gospel hid from the lost? Because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all-powerful, and it forever changes a person’s destiny. “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” (Romans 1:16 KJV).
The power to forever change a person’s trajectory, eternally change their destination is in the Power of the Gospel. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18 KJV). It is not man’s power or an “illusion of power”; it is the POWER of God, and that POWER is established in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:15-23 KJV). Let us focus on Ephesians 1:19 (KJV), “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.” Again, the power to change a person’s eternal destiny is given to those who believe in Christ alone for salvation. That is POWER!
When a person believes in Christ alone for salvation, it translates them from a Hell they deserve to a Heaven they do not. “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” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-14 KJV). That is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: when a person believes in Christ alone for salvation, it forever changes their eternal destiny. Let us believers celebrated the grace, the mercy, and the love of Jesus Christ. Let us believers celebrate that we will never go to Hell because Christ paid for ALL SIN, and it is HE who holds onto us! “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30 KJV). That is POWER!
Let us believers unleash the Power of God by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Individuals need to stand up and preach the Word of God and let others know there is only ONE WAY to Heaven, and it is through Christ alone. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report” (Romans 10:11-16 KJV)? Individuals need to let others know that if they believe “NOT” the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they shall perish for all eternity in Hell/Lake of Fire. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thessalonians 1:8-9 KJV).
If you are reading this, we have a couple of questions for you? Do you want to go to Heaven? Do you want to know you have eternal life? Do you want to know that you can never lose your eternal life after you trust in Christ alone for salvation? Do you want to know that you will never go to Hell? “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (I John 5:13 KJV). Do you want to experience real power? Trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ right now!
Jesus Christ loves you so much; He died to meet you. Jesus Christ voluntarily went to the Cross of Calvary and died for all your sins (past, present, and future), He was buried, and He resurrected the third day showing you His sacrifice for sin is sufficient –IT IS FINISHED. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior, what is stopping you right now from accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior? Believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection. Trust in Christ alone as your Savior today, and know you have stepped from death unto eternal life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24 KJV).
THE PLAN OF SALVATION - THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins (past, present, and future), He was buried, and He resurrected the third day to show us the payment for sin is paid in full.
I Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
God loves you. Lord Savior Jesus Christ was revealed in the flesh for one reason, and that is to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ does not come to condemn individuals. Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are all Hell doomed sinners without the Blood of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
All individuals are sinners. The payment for sin is death.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ died for you.
II Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
If you believe in Christ alone, you receive eternal life.
John 6:47: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I John 5:13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
If you could be saved by being water baptized, doing good works, being a good person or following the Ten Commandments, why did (the God from Eternity Past, the God from Eternity Future) the Ever Presence Jesus Christ reveal Himself in the flesh and die on the Cross and resurrect the third day?
Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If you could earn salvation by doing those things, then Jesus Christ died in vain. However, Jesus Christ didn’t die in vain. Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the Lamb of God, and only the Lamb of God can make a perfect sacrifice for sin. There is only one way to Heaven, and it is the belief in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Philippians 3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ death payment for sin -death payment of past, present, and future sin.
People DO NOT go to Hell because they are “bad.” People go to Hell because they believe NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People trust NOT in Jesus Christ as their Savior. People believe NOT Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection. People do NOT trust alone in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:8-9: In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Know that God is gracious to you, and He has already died for all your sins (past, present, and future), He was buried showing all the world He died for your sins, and He resurrected showing all the world that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Father asked Him to do: IT IS FINISHED!
I pray you to believe in Jesus Christ right now for salvation -believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin, burial, and resurrection. Trust alone in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
If you know someone who is not saved, forward this message to them and share the greatest gift that one could ever receive.
Lance Edminster
The Good News Voice
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Once Saved, Always Saved -“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30 KJV)