"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." (Rom. 1:16)
Paul's statement in Rom. 1:16 is one of positive affirmation. It speaks of God's ability to bring to man what he needs the most -- salvation from sin. Also, it speaks of the attitude believers should have in this saving message. We are ashamed for others to know some things about ourselves, not because they are sinful but because of our pride. Not so with the gospel!! As gladly as we received this message (Acts 2:41), gladly we should be telling it to others.
The word "power" is dunamis, from which we get our English word dynamite, or TNT. As one brother I know puts it, "the gospel is God's power to blow man out of sin and sin out of man." What about this powerful message?
It solves all human quandaries
In Mt. 22:23-32 some Sadducees came to Jesus, questioning Him with ulterior motives. They presented to Him such a dilemma that we would think requires a Philadelphia lawyer to decipher. What about that woman who had 7 husbands, all brothers: whose wife would she be in the resurrection? (v. 28) Notice the Lord's response in v. 29. "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God." There is our word dunamis again. We fret over so many worrisome situations in life. However, if we just would be content to understand the Scripture and the resultant "power" of God, all these quandaries would disappear.
It solves man's sin problem
This text clearly states the gospel message is what God intends to use to bring man out of sin. By its very nature it can get the job done. Yet, look at what we do so many times. We observe a friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc. We lament, saying "It wouldn't do any good to talk to him/her. They wouldn't listen." Have we not, by this disposition, rendered the gospel powerless? Have we not concluded that such sinners are so far gone that the gospel couldn't save them? God forbid!! The Lord Himself said through His prophet Isaiah that His word would not return unto Him void, but it would accomplish the very thing for which He sent it (Isa. 55:8-11).
The gospel of Christ...nothing can match it's explosive power!!
