Power

The gospel is not a mere transaction. Jesus does not simply take our sin, give us his righteousness, and call it a day. When we believe in the gospel, we are reconciled to God, filled with the Spirit, and given new life. And with this new life comes a new power for change.

Jesus saves us from sin through his sinless perfection and his sin-payment. Tim Keller summarizes the gospel this way: “Jesus Christ came to earth, lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died.” But Jesus’ death means so much precisely because he did not remain dead. On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave, paving the way for spiritually dead sinners to have eternal life through him (Ephesians 2:1, 6; 1 Peter 1:3; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:5). Those who believe in Jesus not only receive his perfect righteousness in life and his forgiveness of sins on the cross; they also receive his death-defying power through his resurrection.

The gospel is the “power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). When we become a disciple, we are made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and filled with the Holy Spirit, who renews our desires (Titus 3:5), reminds us of God’s love (Romans 5:5), gives us gifts to be used for the church (1 Corinthians 12:7), and empowers us to obey God (Galatians 5:16).

It is impossible to receive the gospel and be unchanged by the gospel. Jesus lived, died, and rose again so that we could be transformed by his power (Colossians 1:22). The gospel is not just a message that we believe. It is a power that changes us (1 Corinthians 1:18).