Lectionary for 1/709

Today's readings are Ezekiel 1.1-14 (  http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ezek.+1.1-14 ), Ezekiel 1.22-28 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ezek.+1.22-28 ), Romans 1.1-17 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Rom.+1.1-17 ), and Habakkuk 1.1-3.19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Hab.+1.1-3.19 ).

The season of Epiphany is the time for celebrating the real appearance of Christ.  We celebrate the fact that he has come in his majestic saving power and that we have seen him.  I'd like to dwell very briefly on just two verses from our reading today, in which Christ's appearing is made ever so plain.  Romans 1.16-17 (ESV) says, "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.'"  What do we see here?  

First, we see that it is the Gospel which is God's power.  How often we have mistaken this concept and acted as though it is our persuasion of the Gospel which is God's power for salvation.  But salvation is not based in our faithfulness or the way that we can persuade people of the Gospel or of how well we are persuaded of the Gospel.  God's power for salvation is in the Gospel itself.  Do we really believe the Gospel is that big?  Probably not.  But it is.  This is God's very word which says the Gospel is that big.  

For whom is the Gospel effective?  It is effective for everyone who believes.  And it is proclaimed to the whole world.  Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  He died not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world.  The Gospel, this proclamation of salvation, is God's power for all who believe.  And we proclaim it for everyone.  Those who insist on unbelief are not partakers of salvation, but those who believe the Gospel receive the power of God.

What does the Gospel reveal?  It reveals God's righteousness.  It is not to be confused with Law, which reveals our unrighteousness, proclaiming God's commands.  This is not the Law, it is the Gospel, and it reveals God's righteousness.  And how are we partakers of God's righteousness?  By faith.  We do not live by our own goodness.  We do not live by our own works of righteousness.  We live by God's righteousness and by the faith in it which the Gospel makes available to us.

Do we really believe the Gospel is the power of God?  Let's try living like we do believe it.  May the Lord forgive our unbelief.