Power

I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.  ~Romans 1:14-16 HCSB

I have been thinking about these verses for days now.  Paul is addressing the Roman believers who are divided in many ways.  Paul understands the gospel.  He understands the need for the good news.  It started with Paul, the gospel saved him and empowered him.  Paul was given a new life, a new direction.  Once he encountered Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul was changed forever.  He became obligated, eager and not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Paul is first obligated to reach all people.  The gospel is for everyone, every color and creed.  There isn’t a list of criteria you have to meet, it is simply for everyone.   With this in mind Paul wanted to share this good news.  He eagerly wanted to share!  I saw a good movie last night and was eager to tell people about the movie, we need the same enthusiasm for sharing Christ.  The gospel is the good news because we all suffer from the same problem, sin.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  We all live under His grace and fail to recognize Him.  We all do things away from His will and without faith.  We all suppress God in our lives and exchange Him for ourselves.  We know what is good and we chose to do wrong.  How do we get free of this prison of sin?     

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel for one reason, because the good news is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believed.  The power of the gospel is the power to change us.  It is the power of God to break us free from the bondage of sin.  In Christ we have freedom, forgiveness and that is good news.  It is not by any works we do but by God.  Christ paid the price for our sin. He hung on the cross and shed His blood for our justification.  Christ was laid in the grave and on third day rose again.  Christ defeated sin and death, Christ did all the work.  In Jesus we have the gift of salvation!  

Jesus I thank you for saving me!  I thank you for paying the price for my sin.  I thank you for giving me a new life in You.  I am obligated, I am eager and I am not ashamed to share you with others.  Lord thank you!  Amen