Why You Should Listen to the Gospel a Thousand Times
“That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:15-17).
Who needs to hear the gospel? Probably the people who come to mind are your friends and family who aren’t yet Christians. Maybe it’s the needy in a downtown neighbourhood, or an unreached people group on the other side of the world.
When I read Romans 1:15-17 a while back, it occurred to me that the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church in Rome. These are Christians he’s addressing, and yet he says, “I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” Why would Paul be so eager to preach the gospel to people who are already Christians?
The truth is that the gospel is “the power of God,” which means it’s far more powerful than we tend to think. It’s not just a story about Jesus and salvation that we need to hear and believe the one time. The gospel is not a set of ‘basics’ for non-Christians that more mature believers should progress beyond.
I’ve realized this in my own life: the gospel is for me too. I need to hear it again and again. Because when I do, I’m being inspired to let its truth invade my whole life. I’m challenged to continued commitment, to radical obedience. I’m encouraged to ongoing faith. The gospel is the power of God for my salvation – my ongoing transformation as His servant.
The next time you have a chance to hear the gospel, I encourage you not to tune out. Remember how Paul takes sixteen chapters in his letter to the Romans to explore what the gospel really is – it’s huge! The gospel is so wide and deep we can’t possibly grasp it all at once. And the more we do grasp it, the more God uses it to change our lives. So listen to the gospel a thousand times. Really listen. And expect to see “the power of God” at work!
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I completely agree! One of the benefits of sharing the gospel with others is that I get to hear it for myself. Sometimes I think I actually benefit more from sharing the gospel than the people that I share the gospel with.
So true Tim! The power of the gospel never weakens!