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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

25 Riches of the Gospel



Romans 1:16 "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."

In this chief passage of the Apostle Paul's Epistle (or letter) to the Romans, we behold a statement regarding the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel must be heard or read at least once a day. Why? Because there are so many rich truths and benefits that are contained in it and explained by it. Like a brilliant multifaceted diamond, whenever we turn the Gospel diamond over and over in our minds and hearts, the Holy Spirit can shine His illuminating light upon its facets. As the Spirit of God illuminates the Gospel, we become more convinced of it being what it truly is - the power of God unto salvation. Below I have listed out some of the truths and benefits that are tied to the Good News of Jesus Christ. The reader may note that the headings correspond to each Person of the Trinity, being that the Triune God is the Architect, Achiever and Applier of salvation.  

God the Father's plans for each of His people described in the Gospel
1. Foreknown    Rom 8:29-31; 2 Pt 1:1
2. Predestined   Romans 8:29-30
3. Chosen  Ephesians 1:3-11
4. (incarnation), Son sent  John 3:16
5. (Pentecost) Holy Spirit sent Acts 2
6. Calling Rom 8:29-30; Ephesians 4:1


The Son's purchased achievement of salvation desribed by the Gospel
1. Reconciliation Rom 5; 2 Cor 5:15-21
2. Expiation or taking away of sin 1 John 2:2
3. Propitiation or satisfaction of God's wrath  Hebrews 8-10
4. Forgiveness of sins  Eph 1:7
5. Credited or imputed righteousness earned by His life and purchased by His death  Romans 4:24-25; 2 Cor 5:21

The Spirit's application of salvation described by the Gospel
1. Calling. John 16:8-12
2. Regeneration  1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18
3. Saving Faith. Eph 2:8-9
4. Repentance. 2 Tim 2:24-25
5. Conversion. Acts 3:19
6. Justification. Romans 4
7. Adoption. Romans 8:14-16
8. Sanctification. Romans 6:4-12
9. Preservation of our faith. Jude 24-25
10. Illumination of the scriptures Ps 119:105
11. His permanent indwelling. Eph 1:11-13
12. His filling ministry. Eph 5:18
13. Future glorification of believers. Romans 8:30-31
14. Raising believers at Christ's return
1 Thess 4:13-18

These listings are a sample of the richness of the Gospel. Each could be a blog post on its own. The point is to show the reader how wonderful the Gospel is and why we need to hear it, read it and tell it to ourselves everyday. By doing so, we as Christians will be reminded of who we are and Whose we are. By telling ourselves the Gospel, we will then desire to tell it to others.