Sept. 2 | The Nature of the Gospel
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
The nature of the gospel is the power of God for everyone’s salvation, both for the Jew and Gentile (non-Jew). The power of the gospel doesn’t come from the paper it is written on, but from the Holy Spirit when it is either read or spoken. There is nothing that can compare to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Blaise Pascal wrote, “The gospel to me is simply irresistible.”
When sinners hear the gospel and freely open their hearts to understand and believe it, they are freed from Adam’s curse of depravity. And when they confess Jesus is Lord by faith they are saved from God’s judgment and made a new creation.
Consider the six biblical terms that describe the powerful things Jesus accomplished in the gospel when He died on the cross. (1) Redemption: To “buy back or release from legal obligation.” Jesus bought back and released mankind from the curse of sin and the law by dying on the cross (Galatians 3:13). (2) Reconciliation: To “bring peace between two parties.” Jesus’ suffering on the cross brought perfect peace between God the Father and repentant mankind (Romans 5:10). (3) Atonement: To “bear the sins of others to bring forgiveness.” Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the sacrificial payment for all the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2).
(4) Salvation: To “save from destruction.” Jesus saves and grants eternal life to everyone who believes in Him (Romans 1:16). (5) Justification: To “make right or just.” Jesus makes sinners righteous and just in the site of God the Father when they put their faith in His sacrifice (Romans 4:25). (6) Sanctification: To “make holy or separate by cleansing from sin.” The blood of Jesus cleanses and separates from sin all those who confess their sins and put their faith in Him (Hebrews 10:29). Because of Jesus’ life changing gospel we now can receive redemption, reconciliation, atonement, salvation, justification and sanctification!
Reflection
Action
- If you haven’t believed all the aspects of the gospel, confess each one over your life. For example, “I am redeemed, bought with a price, by the blood of the Lamb!”
- Take some time to study the fullness of the gospel by reading the verses associated with the terms above.
- Share the powerful work of the gospel with others!