Devotion #5: The Gospel

“For 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.” Romans 1:16  

I love looking deeper into the meaning of something. Whenever I read a text or book or listen to someone talk, my brain is wired to look deeper into what is said. I am big into semantics. Now, there are times when being a “semantical” person has major pitfalls, but looking deeper into word choices can also bring so much to any conversation. When my wife says, “I love you,” the reference, implication, emotion, and logic of what is said have an entirely different meaning than when I hear it from my children. Both are meaningful, but the depth of such simple statements can open a whole new world of understanding.  

Romans 1:16, in my mind, is the thesis statement of the entire book of Romans. While I was tasked to write about this verse, my heart could not stop itself from diving into the deep end of every aspect of the semantics of every word. The references, implications, emotions, logic, and God’s divine truth saturated my heart.  

“I am” - Paul, a Roman Citizen, was reduced, redeemed, restored, and repurposed by Jesus on his way to destroy Jesus’ church.  

“Not ashamed” - He was determined not to back down, shy away, or pretend anything different.  

“The Gospel” - This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. This news is that Jesus was born a virgin and dwelt among men as Immanuel. He lived a life perfectly obedient to God and died on the cross as payment for God’s wrath. That payment should have rightly been paid by humanity because of the sin of all of humanity.  

“For it is the power of God” - “It” refers to the Gospel. The Gospel is the power of God. The same truth and attribute about God’s power “is” the same as that of the Gospel. The Gospel did not gain power or grow in power. Therefore, it cannot lose power or be overcome. The same power that is God as Alpha and Omega is the same power of the Gospel. The Gospel is the power of God.  

“For Salvation” - Salvation is what all men long for and look for. Mankind’s heart is wired to find peace, life, and hope. Sadly, the sick heart finds salvation in things, objects, activities, and passions outside of Jesus. The Gospel is the only means to salvation.  

“To anyone who believes” - Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Why use my words when God’s Word is much more powerful?!  

“To the Jew first and also the Greek” - There is no ethnic group or cultural group that Jesus did not die for. There is no person who God does not love.  

Today, I challenge you today to read that verse various times throughout the day and write down the truth that God lays on your heart.