READ: Rom. 1:16,17: … the gospel of Christ … is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes … The just shall live by faith …
Paul wants to openly and fully proclaim the Gospel of Christ as the good news about who He is and what He has done, is doing, and will do. For this Gospel has a power that is incomparable to any other writing or message. In a world where people seek themselves, we have no reason to be hesitant in speaking about this Gospel.
The power of this Gospel is a power for salvation. Whoever rejects or ignores this Gospel is lost, but whoever accepts it in faith will experience its saving power: acquittal from God’s judgment through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, with access to eternal salvation.
This saving power was first worked through faith among the Jews—the disciples and the first Christian congregation. It later produced fruit also among the Gentiles. Even now, this Gospel has the same saving power for everyone who believes.
Verse 17 explains how the Gospel has and gives power to salvation: “The righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith.” That means: when you accept the Gospel as true, the righteousness of God revealed in it works further faith in you.
It begins with acceptance, where the Word works in you through the Spirit. This leads, among other things, to firm faith in God and His Son, believing that all your sins are forgiven solely because of the suffering and death of Christ.
That faith will continue to grow through Word and Spirit in faithful participation in preaching and in the sacraments (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 25).
And all of this is undeserved grace. Paul confirms his teaching by quoting Habakkuk: The just—that is, the believer—shall live by faith. The gift of faith is a life force!
Do you know that you are a believer?
Sing: Ps. 124:1,3