THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL.
By S. N. H.
There are but few who appreciate the privileges contained in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Said the apostle, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” This is creative power. It is revealed in the creation of the world, in nature, in the word of God, also by the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It embraces all the power of the universe. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.” “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.” It is not according to his riches in this world, only, but his “riches in glory.” This embraces the universe. It is “according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” The infinite power of God is pledged by the creation of the universe, and in the Gospel of Christ it is made available to us by faith. And even faith is a gift of God which all possess. It requires cultivation, by contemplation and exercise. Whether it be recognized in nature, in the inspired word, or in the life of Christ, it is all the same. Said Christ, “Though ye believe not me, believe the works; that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” “By beholding we become changed.” Faith is more than a mere belief in the theory of the Gospel. A man may believe that such a power exists, and yet it do him no good. “The devils also believe and tremble.” The Jews believed that Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, and because of this many of them went away and believed on him, “but the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death.” This kind of belief exercised by the priests, brings only condemnation. There is a great difference between man speaking the truth, and God bearing the same testimony. The truthfulness of man is based on circumstances to make it true, while, on the other hand, God is infinite and creates the circumstances that make it true. To illustrate, we say, “To-day or to-morrow we will go in such a city and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain.” All this would depend upon circumstances; for we know not what will be on the morrow. But were the Lord to say we were to go into a city and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain, it would be so, even though we should die, before going to the city; for he could raise us from the dead, because he is the Author of life. Said Abraham to his young men, “Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” He believed that Isaac would return with him from the mount, altho he was to offer him for a burnt-offering. He looked beyond the circumstances, and faith grasped the promises of God, “accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure;” for faith “calleth those things which be not as tho they were.” Many have been troubled with the words found in Joshua 10:12-14: “And he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, till the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. . . . So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.” It is needless to say there has been much speculation over these words. The objector says this would have disarranged the whole planetary system, as no one planet could change its motion without seriously affecting others. If the supposition that it would affect the revolution of this earth for the Scripture to be fulfilled, were true, then the very word itself would have created a condition of things so that it would have been necessary for this earth to have been affected in order for the harmony to have continued. God is greater than any law of nature or any cause he ever originated. Causes produce results. God is greater than them all. This is the God of the Bible, the Author of the Gospel. The laws natural illustrate the laws spiritual, and there is nothing more wonderful than the forgiveness of sin, the creating of a new creature in Christ Jesus. The sinner who is all polluted with moral corruption, like the leper half consumed with his disease, comes to Christ realizing his own condition, and seeing nothing but the Saviour’s healing power. Like the leper of old, he exclaims, “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Immediately he receives the cleansing power. The leper’s disease was the result of his own wickedness. His sin had brought its results; God was greater than the sin and the result of sin. All that is necessary is repentance, and simple faith to accept the Gospel as a free6gift, and we become cleansed from sin, and new desires and aspirations are formed in the heart. The creative power of God was experienced in both soul and body of the leper, and he became a living monument of the power of the Gospel. This wonderful power that can deliver soul and body from the power of Satan, disease, and death, is the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is our individual privilege to believe and experience it, both mentally, physically, and spiritually.