Gospel Releases Power

Today in many places, the Gospel, which is used in Greek literature as 'nearly to good to be true news' is presented as partially good news. But the true Gospel declares that salvation is a free gift received by grace through faith alone not of works, lest anyone boast. (Ephesians 2:8 & 9) Romans 11:6 reinforces this truth, "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work."

The 'almost to good to be true' Good News when received in its pure, undiluted form by faith alone manifests in supernatural, miracle working resurrection power. Romans 1:16 & 17, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'." The word 'salvation' is the Greek word 'soteria' meaning salvation, healing, deliverance, protection, preservation and prosperity.

The true Gospel message is all about what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross, and what He has freely given to us all by grace through faith alone. Romans 8:31 & 32, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

We also know Jesus became sin for us that we have become the righteousness of God in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21). The Good News is that we are saved, sanctified, sons and daughters, unconditionally loved, accepted, favored and in right standing with God apart from all performance. I admit the Gospel is offensive, it is hard for us to accept that all our sins have been forgiven and put away eternally. Hebrews 9:26, "He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Hebrews 10:12 "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God." Jesus took all our sin, sickness, disease, curse, pain and punishment eternally on Calvary once for all, forever. John 5:24 is very clear, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death into life." Hebrews 9:28 nails down this truth into our soul deeply, "So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."

True genuine Holy Ghost conversion puts a fire in our heart to fully follow Jesus. We daily renounce sin, reckoning ourselves dead to sin, giving no place to the Devil to avoid oppression, consequences and destruction. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present age. (Titus 2:12) The Word is given that we may not sin, but if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. (I John 2:1)

Shalom,

Pastor Michael