"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
There was once a pastor who had a five- year-old daughter. The little girl noticed that every time her dad stood behind the pulpit, and was getting ready to preach, he would bow his head for a moment before he began to preach. The little girl noticed that he did this every time. So one day after the service the little girl went to her dad and asked him, "Why do you bow your head right before you preach your sermon.?" Well, honey" the preacher answered, "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon." The little girl looked up at her father and asked, "Then how come He doesn't do it?"
We are all called to share the Gospel. But how well are we doing with that? I'll be the first to say that I am guilty of not being in involved in this like I should be.
John 3:16 summarizes the Gospel: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Every opportunity that comes our way, we are to share this brief, but essential truth. But how often do we do it? We get so busy with our lives, that we don't treat this activity as a priority. With so many people living and dying without a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, it is a matter of strong urgency.
In our text the apostle Paul shares three essentials concerning the gospel.
1. It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the message concerning our Savior Jesus Christ, that when read, or heard, and realized, it will brings us to the person, of whom we can position ourselves with, to obtain salvation, and have it.
2. The response on our part is to believe the gospel message to be true. We are then to follow through with the salvation process of repentance, confession, and baptism by immersion, in order to walk in our new life in Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:4)
3. It is for the Jew first, and then the Greek. Our Savior came from the Jewish line, and the first Christians were Jewish, and later the Gentiles were invited to accept the Gospel call. In essence, salvation is available to all who believe, and follow through with the salvation process.
In 2 Corinthians 6:2, "For He says:“In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
The time is now, to share the message the world needs to hear so desperately.
We as Christians need to get to it! GP
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