The
Power of God
4/13/08
Bro. Lee Dotson
(Ro.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;
Paul was not
ashamed of the glorious Gospel of Christ! Paul was imprisoned in Philippi,
chased out of Thessalonica, smuggled out of Damascus and Berea, laughed at in
Athens, considered a fool at Corinth, and declared a blasphemer and lawbreaker
in Jerusalem. He was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. He was never intimidated,. ready
and eager to preach at Rome, the capital of sin and paganism, and he was not
ashamed of the Gospel.
The greatest manifestation of God's power is in providing for man's salvation,
transforming their nature, and giving them eternal life. Salvation carries the
work of deliverance, or rescue. By His power, God rescues sinners from the
penalty of sin, death and eternity in the lake of fire.
Believe or faith,
trusting in or relying on, having faith in Eph. 2:8.( For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:) Eternal life
is both gained and lived by faith. God does not ask us to behave and then
believe. The behaving is the product of salvation not the means to it. All who
believe shall be saved.)
Faith activates the
power of God that brings salvation and in that sovereign act, the righteousness
of God is revealed. In addition, He imparts His righteousness to those who believe. Not
only revealed but also reckoned to those who believe in Christ.
( Ro 10:9 )That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised himb from the dead, thou shalt be saved.