In Romans 1:16, Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God which results in salvation for anyone who believes it. The word salvation means deliverance or preservation. When a person believes in the gospel, they are immediately delivered and preserved, hence Paul’s statement, “it is the power of God”. What is the sinner delivered from and preserved into when they believe?
- Delivered from the penalty of sin (cf. Romans 3:23-26).
- This is the justification of the believer.
- Experiencing deliverance from the power of sin (cf. Romans 8:2-4; Galatians 5:16).
- This is the sanctification of the believer.
- Guaranteed future deliverance from the presence of sin (cf. Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:21-22; 1 John 3:1-2).
- This is the glorification of the believer.
- Preserved by God through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:17).
- This is the regeneration of the believer.
- Preserved by God through the adoption into His family (cf. Romans 8:15-17).
- This is the placement of the believer.
- Preserved by Jesus Christ through the promise of eternal life (cf. John 3:18; 5:24; 6:39).
- This is the promise to the believer.
It is easy to understand how a Christian can feel like the Apostle Paul felt in Romans 1:16. The gospel provides justification, sanctification, glorification, regeneration, placement, and promise to all who believe it. There is nothing more certain, nothing more good, and nothing more important than the gospel. Paul’s statement in Romans 1:16 is only a few lines of text, but when it is lived out and communicated by the believer, it carries the power of God. Let us who have believed the gospel, be unashamed!