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Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.

Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.

Romans 1:16, 17 (KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of 
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that 
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the 
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just 
shall live by faith. 

Romans 1:16, 17 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it 
is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: 
first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a 
righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from 
first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by 
faith." 

Romans 1:16, 17 (TEV) I have complete confidence in the gospel; 
it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also 
the Gentiles. For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with 
himself: it is through faith from beginning to end.  As the scripture 
says, "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live." 
 

Romans 1:16, 17 (EAV) For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good 
news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for 
deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal 
trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first 
and also to the Greek, For in the Gospel a righteousness which God 
ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith 
[disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith].  As it is 
written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and 
shall live by faith. 

Martin Luther and John Wesley, two of church history's towering 
figures, came to Christ through Romans 1:17. [The 365-Day Devotional 
Commentary] 

Through all the ages the great truth of justification by faith 
has stood as a mighty beacon to guide repentant sinners into the way 
of life. It was this light that scattered the darkness which 
enveloped Luther's mind and revealed to him the power of the blood of 
Christ to cleanse from sin. The same light has guided thousands of 
sin-burdened souls to the true Source of pardon and peace. For the epistle to 
the church at Rome, every Christian has reason to thank God.  {AA 
373-374}   

   Martin Luther's horror at the corruption of the church led to 
the Protestant Reformation. His ninety-five theses, written in 1517, 
were his attempt to bring reform to common church practices such as 
the selling of indulgences, or pardons for sins. 
   Martin Luther is also remembered for the rallying cry Sola 
Scriptura, "the Scriptures alone," meaning that God's Word alone is 
authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. That belief fueled 
Luther's commitment to making the Bible available to the common people, 
not merely interpreted for them by the religious leadership. 
   A defining belief for Luther centered around his own study of 
the New Testament book of Romans, particularly Romans 1:17. The 
biblical certainty that righteousness comes through faith rather than as 
a result of good works was a forgotten or disregarded concept in a 
subculture where faith had often become about ceremony or about "being good 
enough" to get into heaven. 
   The understanding of justification by faith in Christ alone 
is evident in these words of Luther, spoken half a millennium ago: 
"One drop of Christ's blood is worth more than heaven and earth:" 
Martin Luther (1483-1546), German theologian and founder of the 
Lutheran church, was the husband of Katharine von Bora and the father of 
six. [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional v. 17] 

   When I was in college, I accepted a bet to prove that 
Christianity was a lie and that most Christians had pretty much lost their 
brains. I even accepted a challenge from one group of Christians to 
examine the claims of Christ intellectually. I took a hard look at the 
reliability of the Scriptures, the archaeological evidence, and the 
fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The verdict: The Resurrection was 
real, and that meant Jesus is everything he claimed to be. 
   A few years later, at Talbot Theological Seminary, I became 
known as the guy who would share his faith with anybody at any 
time--strangers, addicts, and especially youth. In my first weeks in organized 
ministry, I typed Romans 1:16 on a card and hung it over my desk. When you 
know the power source, you really have no choice but to be bold! Josh 
McDowell, a speaker, apologist, and youth evangelist, is the author of 
More Than a Carpenter, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, and Why Wait? 
What You Need to Know about the Teen Sexuality Crisis. [The One Year 
Bible Live Verse Devotional v. 16] 

   Whether or not you are a sports fan, you are undoubtedly 
familiar with braggadocio, or empty boasting. Many in our society-in 
particular athletes and their rabid fans-have made this an art form. "We're 
Number 1" signs and childish antics pop up everywhere. Even those who 
can back up their words are often full of hot air.  
   For those who think they are the greatest, Paul has some 
sobering news: You are not as great as you may think. Paul reminds us 
that we are all great at one thing: sinning. But that is not all that 
Paul has to say. The good news of Paul's letter to the Romans is that 
God has a great message of hope and forgiveness. Now that is 
something to really brag about!  
   Paul knew how thoroughly kind God had been to him. He called 
himself and everyone else in need of Christ's forgiveness "terrible 
people" (Romans 2:1). That's why he had no trouble obeying God's call to 
travel all over the Roman Empire preaching and spreading the good news 
about Christ. It only made sense to him that he would share the 
message of God's forgiveness with others after all God had done for him 
(1:5).  
   Being a Christian is a privilege. God has taken away more of 
our sin than we can realize, more sin than we deserve to have 
forgiven. The more we appreciate the depth of this, the more we'll 
understand Paul's gratitude here.  
   If you have received Christ's forgiveness, you have an 
important story to tell. You don't have to be a clone of Paul, just 
motivated by the same gratitude, driven by the same love, committed to the 
same end: God's greater glory. In what way can you share the news 
about God's goodness today? [The One Year Through the Bible Devotional 
by Dave Veerman re Rom. 1:5-9] 

SPECIAL LINKS FOR THIS PASSAGE:

Fellowship of the Unashamed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZKuKPMq8r0

I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=J9C92FNU

That's My King Dr. S.M. Lockridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE&feature=related