The Encourager
“The Power of the Gospel - Jeff Curtis”
The Power of the Gospel
By Jeff Curtis
Rome was power-mad, and so is today’s world. We want to be stronger, go faster, and build bigger – but even after almost two thousand years, there is no power comparable to the gospel. The story of the cross is still “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1Corinthians 1:24). James Meadows referred to it as “God’s dynamite to blast sin, tradition, paganism, and helplessness out of men’s hearts.”
The gospel is clearly not God’s power of forgiveness; it is also God’s constraining power. Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32). Also, the gospel is God’s remaking power. Multiplied thousands of lives have been changed as men and women have responded to the story of God’s love (2Corinthians 5:17). The story is told of a man whose life was so altered that one of his employees remarked, “He is not the same man!” It’s the same skin, but there’s a new man inside!”
The gospel is so important that we dare not “neglect it, ignore it, change it, pervert it, …or refuse to hear it.” Above all, those of us who are Christians dare not “fail to preach it.” It is still God’s power – His only power – to salvation. Today, some are preoccupied with finding new ways “to attract people to church.” Coy Roper asserted, “Whatever attracts people to the church, no one will be saved until and unless we preach the gospel and obey it.” The Gospel is still God’s remedy for the sin-sick people. If we don’t share it with all who we know, they will be lost.
Is it possible that, unlike Paul, we are ashamed of the gospel? Most of us would never admit to being ashamed of it, but are we embarrassed to tell our friends about our faith in Jesus? Are we afraid to try to teach them because we may lose them as friends? The Contemporary English Version expresses Romans 1:16 like this; “I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people
who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.” May god help us always to be proud of the good news – and to act like it.
Sin is a Slippery Slope
by Andy Sochor
Often when we use the term “slippery slope,” it is in reference to an action or behavior that may not be wrong in itself but could easily lead to actions and behaviors that are wrong. Sometimes there is wisdom in considering this, especially on a personal level.
However, the Lord described a similar situation among His people. Yet instead of warning that questionable decisions could lead to sin, He explained that sinful behavior leads to divine punishment.
God said that “the land [was] full of adulterers” and that “their course also [was] evil” (Jeremiah 23:10). He continued, “For both prophet and priest are polluted; even in My house I have found their wickedness” (Jeremiah 23:11). What was going to happen as a result? God explained, “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, they will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; for I will bring calamity upon them, the year of their punishment” (Jeremiah 23:12).
We are often tempted to minimize the problem of sin. When we do this, it is very easy to continue in it rather than repenting. If we do not turn from our sin, we stand to face eternal destruction for it.
So, remember that sin is a slippery slope. God has provided a way for us to escape the punishment that comes because of it. Yet when we become accustomed to sin, we run the risk of continuing down the path of destruction until it is too late.
