Gospel
Monday, November 18 Romans 1:16-17
“I am not ashamedof the gospel”
Paul insiststhat he is not ashamed of the gospel. Indeed, why should any of us be ashamed of a message which explains thepower of God that leads to salvation? The Greek word soteria,meaning “salvation,” is related to sos,meaning “safe and sound.” What thegospel tells us is that through Christ God has made available to humankind thepossibility of spiritual safety for all eternity and completely soundness forall of life. In his travels Paul hadseen God’s power making every conceivable type of person “safe and sound.”
Paul goes on tosay that this safety and soundness is available to all who believe. In the Old Testament the focus was on Israel,but now the gospel is universally available. Paul adds that the gospel of salvation is “first for the Jew.” By this Paul means that Jews were the firstto receive the good news of Jesus Christ and, therefore, the first to have theopportunity to believe and be saved. Paul also has in mind that it is first through the ministry of Jews suchas himself and the twelve Apostles that the Gentile world has begun to hear theGospel.
I praise you, Father, for making me “safeand sound” in Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, November 19 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
“You received thegospel with joy”
As Paul begins his letter to theChristians in Thessalonica, he speaks of the Good News (gospel) of JesusChrist. It is clear that theThessalonian congregation is actively sharing with others the gospel theyreceived (verse 8). What is important tonotice is both what they were bearingwitness to and how they were doingit. Paul notes that not only had the“Lord’s message” – that is, the good news about Jesus – “sounded forth,” butalso the Thessalonians’ “faith in God” – that is, their response to the goodnews – had “become known.” In short,they were sharing both the good news about Jesus and the impact of that goodnews on their own lives.
As to how they were doing it, Paul notesin verse 9 that others were talking about what the Thessalonians did: They turned from idols and servedthe true God. That is, their behaviorwas consistent with, and testified to the reality of, their message. Following the example of Jesus and theapostles, they practiced what they preached. Lastly, Paul notes their eager expectation of the Second Coming ofChrist.
Having accepted your gospel, Lord, may mylife reflect it to others. Amen.
Wednesday, November 20 2 Timothy 4:1-5
“Do the work of anevangelist”
The English word “evangelist” is takenfrom the Greek word “euangelion,” a word made up of a prefix “eu,” meaninggood, and the word “angelion” meaning message or news. Thus, an evangelist is a person who issharing “good news” with others. Paul,of course, uses the word to refer to a person who is sharing the good news ofJesus Christ. In these verses, he ischallenging Timothy to be an evangelist, in spite of the difficulties that suchsharing entails.
In his ministry as an evangelist, Timothyis to be “persistent.” Yet, persistencein sharing the Gospel must be balanced with patience and encouragement. There is a time for speaking and a time forsilence, to paraphrase the wisdom of Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is aseason” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Timothy alsoneeds to be aware that people will often reject the right teaching of the truthof God’s Word, and instead look for teachers who will tell them what they wantto hear. They will reject the truth andfollow strange teachings very different from the Gospel. Still, Timothy needs to do the work God hasgiven him.
Strengthenme, Lord, to do the good work of sharing your good news with others. Amen.
Thursday, November 21 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“It is this good news that saves you”
Paul reminds the Corinthians how they hadcome to hear the gospel and the difference it had made in their lives. Paul had been the human instrument by whichGod brought his gospel to them, and it was by the acceptance of that gospelthat they had been saved and had taken their stand in the world asbelievers. Paul wants them to realizehow precious the gospel is, and he urges them to firmly hold on to what theybelieve.
When the gospel is reduced to its essence,it is an event in history. It was notsomething which was enacted in another place, like the activities of the Greekgods, but a happening that can be given date and place and person. Paul summarizes God’s activity in threestatements: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and he rose again. In a condensed form Paul focused on thesignificance of the cross in salvation, the reality of his death on our behalf,and our hope in the resurrection. Thefact that there were still living those who had seen the resurrected Jesus gavefurther strength to their faith.
Help me, LordJesus, to hold on firmly to my faith in you. Amen.
Friday, November 22 Matthew 9:35-38
“Jesus went about . . . teaching . . . preaching . . . healing”
Jesus’ teaching,preaching, and healing was one integrated ministry, not three separateministries. His healing was a physicalsign of the Good News power of his teaching and preaching; his teaching andpreaching message was affirmed by his healing. Jesus taught and preached that our sin is not cured by adherence to therules of religion, but only by God himself through the death of his Son. The crowds seem to want healing withoutattending to their deeper needs of salvation from sin.
As we putourselves into God’s hands, he understands our lives better than we do and attimes he is more concerned with the development of our hearts that he is withthe comfort of our lives. There is no question that God enjoys giving goodgifts to his children. But sometimeswhat we think is the best gift does not always address the deepest needs in ourlives. Our hearts have been tainted bythe effects of sin, and sin hits the center of our desires and our ability tohave a relationship with God.
I give my sinfulheart into you care, heavenly Father, that you may heal it. Amen.
Saturday, November 23 Romans 10:13-16
“How can they hearabout him unless someone tells them?”
Starting with the fact that faith isnecessary, Paul asks how anyone can possibly call on the Lord for God’spromised salvation without believing the promise. Then he asks how anyone can come to thisbelief without being told what is available to believe. He follows with a question as to how peoplecan hear without someone telling them. This in turn leads to a question as to how people can tell others aboutthe promised salvation of God without being sent as those who will tell.
In the context of Paul’s argument, hispoint is that if the gospel is available to “both Jews and Gentiles, alike,”then the Gentiles as well as the Jews must know about it, and the telling of itto the Gentiles will require considerably more involvement of the Jews (whowere the first to receive the Gospel) than has been evidenced so far. To his own people, the Jews, who are upset athis ministry and scandalized by his message of God’s grace to the Gentiles,Paul is saying, “Come join me in the sharing of glad tidings with those whohave never heard.”
Thankyou, Father, for those who have shared the gospel with me. Amen.