The Power of the Gospel

The Bible is not a dead book! “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). There is power in the word of God that cannot be found anywhere else. Take a few moments to see what power can be found in God’s book.

It has the power to SAVE. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Yes, it is by the blood shed on Calvary that a person can be cleansed from their sins (Matthew 26:28). But, it is also true that one learns and knows about how that blood washes away our sin (Romans 6:3, 4; Acts 22:16). We cannot have the forgiveness of sins without knowing what the word teaches (James 1:21, 22).

The gospel has the power to BLESS. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein” (Revelation 1:3). The power to be blessed comes by three things: reading, hearing, and doing. It is not enough to demand gospel preaching. God wants people to obey what they hear (Hebrews 5:8, 9).

The gospel has the power to produce FAITH. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith is an essential ingredient to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith and the things which are to be added (2 Peter 1:5-11) can come from no other place but God’s word.

God’s word has the power to make us PERFECT. “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Perfect in this passage does not mean sinless. Only Christ was able to walk through this without sin(Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). The word “perfect” has the idea of maturity or completeness. It is thorough in what it provides. Peter tells us that God by His “divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). We do not need anything else, God’s word is adequate to guide us spiritually.

We’re glad that God has given His word. Would you like to obey it so that you can be saved (1 Peter 4:17)? One must believe in Jesus and His word (John 20:30, 31); repent of past sins (Acts 17:30); confess Jesus (Romans 10:10) and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). One should live faithfully as a child of God (Revelation 2:10) until death claims him. His eternal home will then be heaven.

Terry Claunch