Copyright © 2002 S P Townsend
The Power of God for Salvation
Steve Townsend
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last”. Romans 1:16,17
God is in the transformation business. He loves to lift up those in rags and clothe them in riches, to rescue those in slimy pits and place their feet upon a rock (Psalm 40: 1-3).
In the letter to the Romans Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells of the “good news” of the transforming power of God. He gets so overwhelmed by the wonder of it all that he exclaims (11:33),
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out!”
In this study we will look briefly at some of the main points that Paul makes. Unless otherwise stated all references are from the letter to the Romans.
Sin is a state we live in, not an act we perform. Chapter 1:18 describes that state of sin as
· godlessness – not conforming to God’s likeness;
· unrighteousness – not conforming to what is right.
Righteousness is similarly a state we live in. In the state of righteousness
· sin never counts against us (4:6-8);
· we are fully justified – in line with the glory of God (3:21-24)
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The Effect of Sin |
The Effect of Righteousness |
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suppresses truth (1:18,25) |
proclaims the word of Christ (10:17,18) |
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destroys our relationship with God (1:21,22,25) |
cannot be separated from God’s love (8:38,39) |
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depraves the mind (1:21,28) |
transforms by the renewing of the mind (12:2) |
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brings impure and shameful longings (1:24,26,27) |
clings to what is good (12:9) |
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causes evil actions (1:28-31) |
overcomes evil with good (12:21) |
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spawns a judgmental, self-justifying spirit (2:1-4) |
honours others above self (12:10) |
Not to take away sin or make us righteous (3:20)
BUT
· to make us conscious of sin (3:20; 7:7)
· to expose the extent of sin’s power over us (5:20; 7:8-13)
· to point us to Christ (8:1-4; Galatians 3:24)
· to change our state from sin to righteousness (3:21-24)
· to reconcile us to God (5:10)
· to deliver us from sin’s power (6:6,7,18; 8:2)
· to provide us with new life (5:21; 6:4,11)
· to enable us to please God (6:13,22; 8:4)
· to make us children and heirs of God (8:16,17,32,38,39)
· live by faith (1:17; 3:22; 5:1,2)
· reject sin’s mastery over us (6:12-18)
· submit to the Holy Spirit (6:13,18,22; 7:6; 8:9; 12:1)
· a mind set on what the Holy Spirit desires (8:5-9; 12:2)
· give out the grace of God (12:4-8)
God is wanting transformed people; people whose lives are completely changed by the power of the gospel; people whose lives are lived by faith in Jesus, depending on His grace, and who bestow that grace wherever they go. This is not something we do in our own strength, nor can we achieve it by obeying His law or following certain procedures or ceremonies, however good these may be. It is accomplished by His grace alone. And the power that achieves it is the greatest power this world has ever known – the resurrection power of Jesus.
Copyright © 2002 S P Townsend