The Gospel, the Power of God
Scripture Reading — Romans 1:8-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. . . .
Paul was preparing to visit Rome, the capital of the empire. He was on his way to Jerusalem to bring the poverty-stricken people there a generous gift. From Corinth he wrote his most robust letter, which we now call the book of Romans—and already here in the prologue, he has made a most audacious statement: “I am not ashamed of the gospel. . . .” Paul felt indebted to the gospel—the good news of Jesus. He was ready to preach the gospel, and he was not ashamed of it.
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel even though he was arrested and flogged and stoned nearly to death because of it. Paul was not ashamed because the gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” in Christ as Lord and Savior. The gospel is God’s power for salvation. And this power is available for all who believe. It doesn’t matter what people or nation they come from. What matters is that they believe.
The door of salvation is open in Christ. Behold the power of the gospel!
Lord, thank for giving us the gospel, the good news of Jesus, with its power for all who believe. Thank you for your grace and mercy in sending Jesus so that we can be saved to new life in you. May we live by faith in you, knowing that we never need to be ashamed because of you. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Lopes
Hernandes became the Portuguese ministry leader for Today's sister Portuguese ministry in 2010. He also serves as the director of the organization Luz Para o Caminho (Light for the Way), an organization formed in partnership between ReFrame and the Presbyterian
Church of Brazil. Hernandes has authored more than 160 books and is a popular and respected conference speaker in Brazil. Hernandes graduated from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Brazil and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary in
Jackson, MS.
Hernandes and his wife, Tinha, have two adult children.
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