16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1)
There we go again... Pulling out a verse or two as a favorite from it's context. Verses 16 and 17 are indeed a powerful statement and promise of the Gospel, but we should not separate them from the whole series of "fors" Paul goes on to remind us of. The Gospel has to do with the "righteousness of God" - how we as unrighteous, rebellious sinners can be made right with God through Jesus Christ. Part of appreciating and appropriating the power of the Gospel is first apprehending what great wrath God has for ungodliness - that we tend to shun Him, ignore Him, rebel against Him, and replace Him ( though unsuccessfully!). The Power of the Good News shines brighter in the darkness of the bad news. The Promises of salvation, forgiveness and life eternal are more appreciated in context of what we deserve: wrath, judgment and death. So let us read a few verses more - at least a full paragraph, to get the full picture of this great gospel.
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