When we study the book of Romans, it would serve us well to look at what The Spirit of God says about the gospel in this book. The Greek word for gospel, as many of you know, means basically “good news.” Thirteen times we find the word gospel in this book, and with every passage we find wonderful truths that speak volumes to our heart.
The gospel is the “good news” of God’s Son, The Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:9). “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Jesus is the Good News of God sent to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This “gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16, 15:19,29) is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe it. Note in those “gospel of Christ” passages how Paul ties in Christ’s salvation- bringing gospel with fullness of blessing. How blessed the man is who knows Christ and has been given forgiveness of sin (Romans 4:6-8)! Only the gospel of Christ can grant forgiveness of sin and give a person a new heart (Hebrews 8:10; Galatians 6:15).
Paul tirelessly brought this gospel wherever the Spirit of God opened the door (1 Corinthians 16:9; Romans 15:20), in the power of God’s Spirit (Romans 15:19). Twice in the book of Isaiah (52:7 and 53:1) we see that this gospel was foretold. Thus the gospel of the Suffering Messiah would be called “the gospel of peace” and be spread by the beautiful feet of His redeemed servants (Romans 10:14,15).
This gospel was no afterthought, beloved; it was not plan “B” because plan “A” failed. This gospel was kept secret (Romans 16:25), but was revealed to all mankind in these last days (Hebrews 1:1,2: 1 Peter 1:10- 12).
Twice in this book Paul refers to the gospel as “my gospel” (Romans 2:16, 16:25). The good news of Christ is of no value to the person who is living in unbelief.
Lastly, Paul refers to himself being separated unto this gospel (Romans 1:1). This is the language of deep commitment. Is the gospel that we have been studying your gospel? Are you and I fully devoted to Christ?
