Discover the Power of the Gospel In Your Transformation

The Power of the Gospel. What does that really mean? Have you ever thought about it? Or is it a phrase from the Bible that we use by rote? In 2022, it is time for Christians in America to embrace the full meaning of this phrase from Paul’s letter to the Romans.

In this article, I am going to do my best to unpack what “the power of the Gospel” really means. We will explore not only what it means but also where it comes from, how do we get it, how do we use it, and what does it do.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16 CSB)

The power of the Gospel is in its ability to provide salvation to everyone that believes and to transform the believer into the new creation they are destined to be. 

For us to understand what this means, we will first need to define two words: gospel and salvation. Knowing what they mean will help us understand this verse more.

What Is the Gospel?

What is the Gospel? Almost everyone knows Gospel means “good news”. But good news of what? Let’s go to Paul’s writings.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4. “Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (CSB)

Just as he states in the first verse, Paul makes it clear what the Gospel is. The Gospel is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why Is This Good News?

It is good news because of everything we gained through Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.   

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14 CSB)

The short version is that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again so that we may be blessed. What does the blessing of Abraham include? Salvation. The blessing brings us salvation. Now let’s define this word: salvation.

What Is Salvation?

When we define salvation, we will move from what religion says into what the Bible says salvation is. Religion normally defines salvation as the act of being saved or what Jesus called “born again” in John 3.

Salvation is so much more than that. In 1 Corinthians 15:2, Paul writes, “…and by which you are being saved.” This is so much more than the act of inviting Jesus into your life. This is a continuous action.

The Greek word translated as salvation, saved, and save in our English bible is “sozo”. Sozo means: to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction. It is translated as: to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

This is the salvation the power of the Gospel provides for us. It is salvation for the whole man- spirit, soul, and body.

Where Do We Find the Gospel in Our Bible?

 The initial reaction is to say Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And that is correct, but not fully correct. If the Gospel is about Jesus, and His death, burial, and resurrection, we find the Gospel everywhere we find Jesus in the Bible.

We find Jesus in every book of the Bible, so our whole Bible is about the Gospel. For instance, Galatians 3:8 tells us, “Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.” (CSB Emphasis is mine.) 

Don’t limit the Gospel to four books of the New Testament. Look for the Gospel in every book of the Bible. It is all about Jesus!

Do you fund Bible study difficult to do? Do you have no idea where to start? Read my article about the Easy Bible Study Method HERE.

Are you confused about what resources you need to effectively study the Bible? Find my Recommended Resources HERE. I have separated them into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources.

Where Does the Power of the Gospel Come From?

Where does this power in the Gospel come from? We have already determined the Gospel is declared in all sixty-six books of the Bible. So, what is the Bible? It is the written words of God. That is an important distinction to make.

Why is this an important distinction? What does God say about His word?

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” 

Therefore, if the Gospel is the whole Bible, then all of it is living and powerful. This power is inherent in the Gospel. God speaks His words in faith. God’s faith is attached to His words. Faith is the power carried in His word.

Therefore, God said in Isaiah 55:11 (CSB) “So my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

All of God’s Word, our Bible cover to cover, is living and powerful. This is why the Gospel has power. 

The Gospel is Living and Powerful

I believe we need to expand our thoughts on the Gospel. We don’t consider the Gospel being our whole Bible often enough. The Gospel is alive, and it is powerful. This power brings salvation to all that believe.

This salvation includes our new birth, safety, security, preservation, healing, and deliverance. All this is provided to those that believe in the Gospel. Yet, there is even more the Gospel does for us.

The Gospel Transforms

Jesus prayed for us in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (CSB) The Gospel, God’s Word, will sanctify us. What does this mean? Sanctify means to free us from sin and set us apart or consecrate us for God.

Yet, that is not all it does. It actually transforms us. Paul said in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (CSB) What does this word transform mean? 

The Greek word translated transform in this verse is “metamorphoo”. It is the same word we get “metamorphosis” from. Metamorphosis is what happens to an ugly caterpillar when it turns into a lovely, graceful butterfly.

This is what the Gospel does for us. It takes us from a nasty sinner and transforms us into a lovely saint. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says we become a new creation.

This ability to transform is the true power of the Gospel. It provides salvation from ourselves. An angry person becomes one that exhibits the love of God. A goal-oriented businessman transforms from only climbing the ladder of success, to being the loving husband and father of his family. It can transform the drug addict, alcoholic, and homeless person into productive members of society. 

Over time, the Gospel transforms any person into the image of God.

How Do We Use the Gospel?

If the Gospel is the power of salvation, then how do we use the Gospel? First, we apply the Gospel to ourselves. We do this by studying God’s Word, meditating on God’s Word, and doing God’s Word.

For more information on this three-step process, see my article: A Life of Success Created in Three Bold Steps

It is a straightforward process we will do daily for the rest of our life. It is through this process we renew our minds and are transformed. (see Romans 12:1) You can’t shortcut the process. It is three vital steps that must be done daily. The process works, and it is God’s plan for our success and prosperity.

Next, we can apply the Gospel to other people. It is what the Bible calls the “ministry of reconciliation”. Most of the Church calls this process “witnessing” or “evangelism”.

It is sharing with others what the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ have provided for every person. 

We do this sharing in two steps. First, we live the life we are called to. Second, we proclaim the Gospel to others. Again, both steps are required. There is no short-cutting the process.

People need to see Jesus live in front of them and also to hear the Gospel.

To learn more about evangelism and witnessing, read my articles:

7 Easy Ways to Boldly Evangelize Your City 

Do You Know How to Be a Fearless Witness for Jesus?

What Does the Power of Salvation Do for Us?

The power of salvation first saves us. Which means it causes us to be born again into a new creation. This positions us for everything else the Gospel provides.

After that, it provides healing spiritually, mentally, and physically. This is complete healing either through an instant miracle or over time through the inherent power of God’s Word. 

It will rescue us from danger or destruction and keep us in safety.

The Gospel will transform us from a person with the world’s view and ideals into the image of Jesus. We will take on Jesus world view and image instead.

This is how powerful the Gospel is.

The Challenge

As you daily study the Bible, I challenge you to take what you read and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can apply what you read to your life. Make a conscious effort to experience the Gospel’s power for salvation and transformation daily. The process works, and it is God’s plan for our life.