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Romans 1:16 - Power of the Gospel.

Romans 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

WORD STUDY

The Gospel: In the Christian era, gospel came to be identified with the good news of the life, death, resurrection, and second coming of Jesus Christ. [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby]

It Is The Power Of God. The English word "dynamite" comes from this Greek word. Although the message may sound foolish to some (1 Cor. 1:18), the gospel is effective because it carries with it the omnipotence of God. Only God's power is able to overcome man's sinful nature and give him new life. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003]

For Everyone Who Believes. Faith is not simply a one-time event, but an ongoing condition. True saving faith is supernatural, a gracious gift of God that He produces in the heart (Eph. 2:8) and is the only means by which a person can appropriate true righteousness. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Already exhausted from two days of answering for his faith at the Diet of Worms in 1521, Martin Luther stood once again before angry ambassadors, princes, cardinals, and even the emperor. It was here that he was asked to recant his biblical beliefs on the altar of manmade religion. He responded with these famous words: "I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me. Amen." Later, Luther defied the Roman Church again by translating the Bible into the German language so that even commoners could understand God's Word for themselves.
   Luther was brave and "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." The Holy Spirit helped him to humbly but courageously stand for his belief in Jesus. We are promised that the message and mission of Christ has real power - to humble the proud and give courage to the meek. Most important, "it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes."
   The power of the gospel, the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection, was a promise personally experienced by Paul. He knew firsthand that though "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" it was "to us who are being saved ... the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). He felt such power in his own life and saw its impact on others. You can stand like Luther, unashamed of the gospel, for the promised power can change anyone into the likeness of Jesus.
   Precious Savior, help me to never be ashamed of You. Help me to boldly proclaim Your gospel. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

   Why did the message of Jesus go to the Jews first? They had been God's special people for more than 2,000 years, ever since God had chosen Abraham and promised great blessings to his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3). God did not choose the Jews because they deserved to be chosen (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 9:4-6) but because he wanted to show his love and mercy to them. He wanted the Jewish people to be an example of his love and mercy toward other nations, just as he had shown them. It was always his plan that through them the Messiah, Jesus, would come into the world. God chose them, not to play favorites, but so that they would tell the world about his plan of salvation.
   For centuries, the Jews had been learning about God by obeying his laws, keeping his festivals, and living according to his moral principles. They would often forget his promises and laws, and they would often have to be disciplined. But they still had a precious heritage of belief in the one true God. Of all the people on earth, the Jews should have been the most ready to welcome the Messiah and to understand his mission and message - and some of them did (see Luke 2:25, 36-38). Among others, the disciples and the apostle Paul were faithful Jews who recognized Jesus as God's most precious gift to the human race. [Life Application SB 2019]

   My neighbor paints himself blue and gold, dons a fuzzy blue wig, and proudly wears his St. Louis Blues jersey, matching knee-high socks, and gold tennis shoes to every hockey game. When he drives to a rival city, his personalized license plate proclaims he is a Blues fan. He mows the team logo into his lawn, takes aerial photos with a drone, and posts his artwork on social media. Every conversation with him always comes back to his favorite team and their playoff chances. He is completely sold out to the St. Louis Blues.
   I'm not a hockey fan, but I am on Team Jesus. I wonder if people see Jesus all over my life as if I were a crazed fan. Does the joy of walking with Him reflect on my face? Does the heart beneath my faith T-shirt reflect what the writing proclaims? When I'm behind the wheel, does my driving align with my JOY FM bumper sticker other drivers see? What do my social media accounts say about my relationship with Jesus? How often do my conversations include Him and how to win eternal life?
   Sometimes I flip the TV channel to the Blues game to spot my neighbor in the rowdy crowd. Yet, during Sunday worship, I cheer for Jesus quietly so no one hears me sing out of tune. Jesus doesn't expect me to paint my face and wear a fuzzy wig, but I hope others can tell I'm a sold-out fan for Team Jesus. Karen Sargent
   Faith Step: Demonstrate you are on Team Jesus to a stranger you encounter by your actions or words. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

   I work as a church administrative assistant. My first day on the job, I asked the pastor how often people stopped in to request financial help. "Not that often" he said. I sighed in relief. I knew there would be times when I'd have to say no to a request, which would grieve my heart.
   That first year, once or twice a month, we helped people with gas, groceries, and bus tickets. As word got out that the redhead in the church office on Court Street was sympathetic, the requests poured in. A few months ago, the deacon board decided to limit the number of times an individual could receive help from us.
   Although I understood the reason behind that decision (the church's funds are not limitless), I still hated to turn away needy people. What would I tell them? An idea straight from heaven sailed into my heart: Tell them about Jesus. Of course. Whether I was able to give people monetary help or not, I could always share the good news of the gospel.
   Now whenever someone pops into my office needing assistance, I briefly tell him or her how I became a child of God through placing my trust in Jesus. I give them a story I wrote about God's forgiveness and love. Sometimes I pray with them to find work or receive healing. Even if they don't leave with a gas card or a sack of groceries, they receive the best gift I have to offer: the joy they can experience through knowing Jesus. Jeanette Levellie
   Faith Step: Write a brief account of how you came to faith in Jesus. Print it out and share it with someone who needs joy in his or her life. [Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

INSIGHT

The Gospel, which is summarized in John 3:16, is the power of God that saves anyone who believes in Christ and has a faith relationship with Him.  The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God more and more each day in such a relationship.

CLOSING PEARL

My Commitment as a Christian
   I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I am a disciple of His. I won't look back. Let up. Slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals! I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
   My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
   I won't give up, shut up, let up, or burn up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear. In Jesus name, AMEN
   [These lines were penned by a young pastor in Africa and tacked to a wall in his house. Could you have written these words?]

GREAT PRAISE SONG

Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul by Bob Burger
https://youtu.be/8NA1qosnyCY

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200924-1151.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150713-1642.html

Romans 1:16, 17 - Gospel Power of Salvation & Faith.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060616-0754.html

Isaiah 12:2, 3 - God Is My Salvation, Strength and Song So I Trust Him and Do Not Fear.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240420-0938.html

John 3:16 - LOVE SUPREME!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211206-0816.html

1 Corinthians 1:18 - Why Did He Die?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220413-1020.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/