God's Power

      When we think of the amazing displays of God’s power, we think of creation, the flood, the day the sun stood still, the fire from heaven that wiped out different people, etc. Though these are amazing displays of God’s power, they are not the most amazing. They are not the most incredible. They are not even the most powerful. That is saying something because these displays are unfathomable.

      In reality, the grandest display of God’s power takes place in a pool of water. When a worldly, iniquity-infested, sin-sodden, wicked follower of the prince of this world steps into the water, declares his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is then buried with Jesus through baptism and raised to walk a new creature, holy, pure, righteous and justified, then we have seen the true power of our God.

      That power is vested in the message of God. Paul wrote, “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. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17, ESV). From beginning to end, the gospel is the power of God to bring about salvation.

      We see that power demonstrated when a gospel-transformed life stands out and attracts attention from those who are of the world. We see that power as the gospel message is proclaimed whether from pulpits, across kitchen tables or on the commute to work. We see that power as an ungodly sinner submits and is cleansed.

      Yet, we only see that power when we are looking. Regrettably, many people don’t see the true power of the Gospel. Sure, they recognize it saves and hope to finally get around to sharing that gospel with someone so they can be saved. However, they do not recognize it is the power at every step of the process. They do not see the Gospel as God’s power to catch people’s attention or get them to listen. Instead, they think entertainment, welfare or social relationships are that power. They think that we must somehow capture attention through some means that parallels what prospects are already interested in as worldly people and then hope to bring it around to the Gospel someday.

      We need to restore our faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God for salvation for everyone, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. If we really want to save people, we do not need to erect theaters, sports leagues and soup kitchens. We simply need to let the Gospel transform our lives and then invite others to let it transform theirs. Let’s trust God’s power to save.

Edwin L. Crozier