God to Salvation

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

Have you ever met one of those people who are witnessing machines? Everywhere they go they share Christ, and doors for the gospel seem to swing open to them all the time. Don’t you sometimes wish you were like that?

I will admit that I am more comfortable speaking to hundreds or thousands of people at a time from behind a pulpit than being in the trenches in one-on-one ministry. But just because it’s outside my comfort zone, that does not give me a free pass not to witness.

One reason many of those witnessing machines do what they do is that they have experienced firsthand the transforming power of the gospel. Having seen the gospel immediately impact someone or having experienced the thrill of seeing one seed out of the many sown fall on fertile soil and transform a life, they want to do it again.

I have, as most preachers do, taught this text with all the focus on the “I am not ashamed” part; however, I now see the glory of this verse is in “it is the power of God to salvation” part. To paraphrase this part of the verse, “No matter what your nationality or religious beliefs, the gospel of Christ has power—even the power to save!” So if we approach this verse, not just from the “I am not ashamed” angle, but also from “it is the power of God” aspect, we can find great motivation to share our faith more frequently.

I know many Christians who are intimidated by sharing the gospel, but I also know that I have never met a one who was not longing for the power of God to be manifested through them. The great thing is, God has included both His gospel and His power in one package deal.

So if you are looking to walk in God’s power, shod your feet with the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15), and you are in for a power-packed day. Go forward with this confidence: the gospel has power everywhere it is preached. Any lost soul is a candidate, so don’t wait for the door to open—it already is. Just go out there and preach it, and see the power of God manifested through you!

Excerpt from “Body Builders” now available on Amazon.

BARRY STAGNER