“What is the point and the value of all the philosophies if they cannot deal with the problems of life?” Martyn Lloyd-Jones. “The Plight of Man And the Power of God.”
Paul’s assertion in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation…” is that when compared to all of the various philosophies and “isms” in the world, God’s gospel is the only one that actually has power to change people.
It changes people in their relationship to Him the creator. We are made righteous because the wrath that rightfully sits upon us, God in Jesus Christ takes upon Himself. He is our substitute. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself…..” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
It changes people because in paying the price for rebellion, it places a new life within us. One that is designed and capable of living differently. It is the shocking impact of a life changed which calls most to those who are still without Jesus. Yes, God does use many other things to call people’s attention to His Gospel. Most of these things leave residues of debate. A life that was once as self centered as any, was as unloving of spouse as those all around us, was as stingy, and complaining and as manipulative as everyone else, and, now we see all of that turning upside down, what explanations are we left with? The incarnation of growing holiness is a difficult reality to debate!
It changes people because it sets a new desire in our life. While we continue to live in this one, we long for a different one. “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
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