Over the past several months we studied Paul’s letter to the Romans. In truth, we only scratched the surface. The “renewing of the mind” is ongoing as we continually seek God’s will and live out our faith in this life through God’s Spirit.

Romans 1:16 is a key verse that we discussed.  It speaks about the power of the Gospel. The Gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...“  The salvation it speaks of is having a right standing with God through Jesus Christ. Through Christ our sins are forgiven, and we have eternal life in Christ Jesus.

George Eldon Ladd who is noted for his in-depth study on the Kingdom of God writes, “The Gospel must not only offer a personal salvation in the future life to those who believe; It must also transform all the relationships of life here and now… The Gospel of redeeming grace has the power to save the social, economic, and political orders as well as the souls of individual believers.” (The Gospel of the Kingdom, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959).

We live out our faith in this world to be “salt and light” to bring glory to God. The message of the Gospel has the power and is the power of God to transform our lives, our communities, and our world. Jesus, God’s only Son, is at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus alone can save and make us whole.