For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
(believes: Gk. pist eu' o; to have faith, to put trust in,)
For therein
is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. (Rom.1.16,17).
When one hears the gospel, one hears of the eternal kingdom of God and how man once walked with God, and obeyed God; one hears of man's fall from God's grace through man's disobedience in breaking God's commandments;
which is sin; and man's seperation from God, and, as a consequence, man's fall from spiritual union with God, to a carnal, natural, material understanding of life; and of the outworking of God's plan to reconcile man to Himself by the
redemption of mankind through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary, and of His resurrection from the dead. When people hear this story they are convicted in their heart, of sin (failure to obey God's laws; the ten commandments), righteousness (legal right- standing with God), and judgement (the rewards for obedience to God, and the penalities for disobedience to God), and that Jesus truely is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
These convictions
are from God Himself drawing the hearer to Jesus. (Jn.6.44a No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him:)
If one then decides to
honestly accept that these convictions and stirrings within themselves are real, and choose to believe that Jesus is real, that He truely is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and did die on the cross to pay for mankinds
sins, and did rise from the dead:...and they then receive His sacrifice for themselves personally,
by telling Him they believe it, and thanking Him for it; that they have broken God's law, and are sorry for their sins and that they need God in their lives, and are willing to change from their way to His way,... they will be given the measure of faith (Ro.12.3), and through God's grace, forgiveness, and the free gift of righteousness, (legal, right standing with God); and they will receive the authority
to become a child of God: and a way will be opened for them to live in ever increasing wisdon and understanding, peace, and love as God's children forever: if they will then walk in His Way with living faith. (see studies on 'Faith toward
God' in First Principles, and 'How are we saved?' on this website).
A
person can not truely come to this conclusion by any other means than by hearing the gospel, and being drawn by God thd Father. (see study on 'the Gospel')
Romans 10.17 So then faith comes by hearing:
and hearing by the word of God.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Many people who
read through the Bible and consider intellectually Its contents, are led to believe that it is foolishness.
Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 1.17-31 For Christ sent me not to baptize,
but to preach the gospel: not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18.For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved (sozomenois:- are being saved. Gk text of Stephanus 1550, and Erasmus' Textus Receptus 1516) it is the power of God. 19.For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent. 20.Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22.For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23.But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of
God and the wisdom of God. 25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble, are called: 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 28 And base things of the world, and things which
are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29. That no flesh should glory in His presence. 30. But of Him are you in Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness,
and sanctification, and redemption: 31. That according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
It is God's will that man can come to Him only through the hearing of the gospel, through the redeeming blood of Jesus, and by following
Jesus Christ (see study on 'Resting in the Lord' and 'How are we saved?'). Those
who reject the sacrifice of Jesus, will not receive what God has offered to all whom He
has called:- Eternal life as His children, and inheritance of all things; but will receive, at the judgement, the penalty of eternal separation from God; despair and torment at the realization of the truth, completely without hope of any further chance of
salvation from sin, and reconciliation with God; this is called the second death.
Yes, the Creator of the universe, the Eternal One, the Almighty God wants to be our Father.
This is His primary purpose for creating this earth and mankind (see study on: 'the Purpose for Life')
No one can come to the Father except by the Son.
Jn. 14.6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me.
Rev.14.6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the everlasting
gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory
to Him; for the hour of His judgement is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and the fountains of waters.
Through fear of the Lord (see
study on 'Fear of the Lord'), man will begin to manifest the knowledge and wisdom of God; and through wisdom
will begin to walk with God, and obey God again.
There is no other way back to God the Father, than by following Jesus
Christ; the Redeemer, and Lord and Saviour; in Spirit and in Truth.
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, and if we obey Him,
our Lord, and if we hope and trust in Him and follow Him, our Saviour.
God is Good! His mercy endures forever.
His mercy is new every morning.
His goodness leads us unto repentance.
Exodus 20.6 Showing mercy unto thousands (of times) to them that love Me, and keep My commandments.
See study on:'The Gospel' on this website.