News changes us. Advice tells us what to do. News tells us what has been done. Paul says the gospel is news with power. He writes, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16. The message about Jesus does not just inform. It performs. God acts through it.
Why does Romans matter so much? Because it gives a clear picture of this good news. Martin Luther called it the purest Gospel. Peter OBrien said it calls the church into mission. Augustine read Romans and the fog of doubt lifted as he heard, put on the Lord Jesus Christ. That is not theory. That is real life change.
So what kind of work does the gospel do? It saves. Right now and on the last day. Paul uses salvation to describe the full rescue God gives. We are justified now by faith in Jesus. We will be rescued in the final judgment by the same Jesus. Saved from what? From the wrath our sins deserve. Only the righteous can stand before a holy God. We do not have that righteousness on our own. God gives it in Christ.
Paul explains how. The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. The righteous shall live by faith. Romans 1:17 and Habakkuk 2:4. Faith is not a new trick. Habakkuk trusted God with Babylon at the door. That was not theory either. It was confidence in Gods promise while life was shaking. Our world shifts every day. Faith still looks the same. Trust God. Take him at his word.
Who is this for? Everyone who believes. To the Jew first and also to the Greek. No rank. No class. No inside track. One Savior for all who trust him.
How does this power reach us? Through words. Through preaching and honest conversation about Jesus. The Spirit uses the Word. The gospel does what no other words can do. It opens the heart. It sustains faith. It keeps us and brings us home.
This is not a human strategy. Think about Constantine. Turning to a crucified Messiah was not the easy path to power. He moved toward Christ when it cost him. His mother, Helena, prayed and walked in steady faith. The gospel humbled an emperor and redirected an empire. That is power that does not come from us.
So how should we respond? Many people live as if they are already righteous and boast. Others see their sin and give up. The Christian takes a third way. Jesus makes me righteous and I rejoice.
John Lennox tells a story that helps. He did not ask his future wife to earn his love with years of perfect cooking. Love came first. Obedience and joy followed. That is grace. In the gospel, God gives acceptance through Christ. We obey because we are loved, not to get loved.
Receive the news. Trust Jesus. Rehearse the gospel every day. Share it with a friend. The righteous shall live by faith.
