Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first… I. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL. 1. We can quite understand that to a man of such singular force of character as St. Paul, the "power" of the gospel would be its leading idea. To St. John, it might be its sweetness. And we can follow the current of St. Paul's feelings when he said that he could not be "ashamed" of anything which was so very strong. 2. What we all want is to treat religion more as a thing of "power." We think and speak of it, and act about it, too softly. It is a thing of beauty, poetry, enjoyment, — but would not it be far better if we held it more as a grand fact for vigorous thought, manly action, and practical effort? The piety of the day is too enervated. Hence its watery literature, its feeble hold on the minds of working men, its pettiness, unreality, and small results. There would be less "shame" if there were more "power." 3. I need scarcely say that before the gospel can be this "power," it must be gospel indeed — not a theory, a system of theology, an abstract truth, a diluted joy, something half fear and half hope, but "God's spell." II. SOME FACTS IN REFERENCE TO THIS POWER. 1. The Christian religion is the only one which has ever had "power" to set in motion real missionary action. Why? The selfishness and sluggishness of human nature is exclusive, and it requires an immense lever to stir it, and nothing in the world has ever been found equal to do it, except the love of such a God as we have in Christ. That, and that only, can "thrust out labourers into the vineyard." We have something to say worth making a mission for — we have a motive which can send us forth to say it. 2. See what the gospel of God does in all lands wherever it is planted — what softening of savagery, what civilisation it carries along with it. True, it may be hindered by the inconsistencies of Christians. But in itself the gospel always grows into an improvement in everything. 3. Look over this world at this moment. There are about two hundred millions of Christians upon the earth — once there were twelve. The increase without war — the great engine of Mahometanism — with very little to please and attract flesh and blood into it, rather with the greatest opposition to all which is natural to us, what "power" lies in that single historical fact! 4. Or let me tell you the experience of every Christian minister. It is when he preaches the full simple gospel that he gets all his success. If he preach morality, or an abstract divinity, or a gospel which is half gospel, he has no results whatever. But Christ carries everything. 5. Or listen to the witness of your own heart. (1) What have been the best hours of your life? The hours when Christ was most to you. (2) Who is the really composed man, but the man who is at peace in his own soul. That man does everything with confidence, and rest is power — "the power of God." III. WAYS IN WHICH YOU MAY USE THIS "POWER." 1. Perhaps you are a weak character. You long for more strength of mind, and will, and purpose, and for capacity and power to persevere. Now nothing will give what you want but real personal religion — union with Christ, the gospel of Christ in you, and that gospel is "power." 2. Or you may have a habit, and you want to conquer it. Bring Christ to bear upon that habit, have motive enough, make the effort for Christ's sake, because He has loved you, do it to please Him, and show that you love Him. That principle will command all victory. 3. Or, perhaps, there is someone you very much wish to influence, but you cannot move him. Lead him to your object through the peace you bring into his own soul, and Christ will be stronger than the strong one. 4. Or, you are conscious of a want of moral courage in speaking of religious subjects; there is only one remedy, Christ must be more to you, and then you will be able to say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," etc. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. |
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