Romans 1:16
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.
What a glorious exaltation from the apostle Paul! For Paul declared that it is not man’s reason, or the force of his words, or the flare of his demeanor that will save a person and bring him into a knowledge of God. But instead, it is a proclamation that the preaching of the Word of God is the power of God for salvation.
This power is brought by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. The Word of God, when it penetrates our hearts and minds, judges our thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and convicts us of our sin, brings us to a saving knowledge of our God. God has given us the Word, the Word came in flesh and dwelt among us, and the Spirit of God uses the Word to bring us from death to life.
Though this be contrary to the way the world would have us believe, we are unashamed of this. This is the means by which God has chosen and deemed to build and redeem a people for Himself. Who are we to argue against such a great God or deem Him foolish for choosing His own way? For the wisdom of this world is folly to God.
We can finally rest in the sovereignty of God and in His perfect working in this world. If the world’s salvation is not achieved by human power but by the power of the gospel, then what we are called to do is to live our lives to reflect and rest in the power of the gospel, trusting the Lord to do His great work in His great way.
Father, Your gospel is glorious and powerful. I confess the many times I have not considered the gospel as powerful. I have been tempted to think it is lacking, but it isn’t, according to Your Word. Forgive my unbelief and help me to bear witness to the truth, beauty, and goodness of the power of Your gospel. Use me as a vessel and place Your words in my mouth for Your glory. In Christ’s name. Amen