By Ron Thomas
The power of God protects us (1 Peter 1:5), but how does it work to protect us? The gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). There is no wall built by man, no hindrance given by Satan that can’t be penetrated by the power of the Gospel message. If this were the case, then there is something more power than God and His message of redemption, and that is not possible!
If God’s message is so powerful, then why do people fall away? Consider 1 Peter 1:3-5; the Christian is begotten unto a living hope according to the Lord’s mercy; this inheritance the Lord gives is reserved in heaven for those who love and obey His will (cf. Acts 5:32). Notice, also, that by “...the power of God [we] are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
The gospel of Christ is an effective shield against all forces of evil when one continues to respond to God in faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. This means faith in God, which is trust, reliance, obedience to His will is the avenue God uses to protect those who love Him. Think about the word conviction; conviction assumes grounded knowledge exists upon which one builds his house (so to speak). The house built is strong enough to withstand the forces of evil that thrusts itself against it. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the words of Christ (Rom. 10.17). Thus, when Christians walk by faith, he and she walks by the will of God (2 Cor. 5.7). They live by faith. Living by faith meaning living by the will of God. Living by the will of God means God’s protective shield is around you, teaching you not only the ways of righteousness, but making you aware of the schemes of the devil (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11).
The power of God protects us (1 Peter 1:5), but how does it work to protect us? The gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). There is no wall built by man, no hindrance given by Satan that can’t be penetrated by the power of the Gospel message. If this were the case, then there is something more power than God and His message of redemption, and that is not possible!
If God’s message is so powerful, then why do people fall away? Consider 1 Peter 1:3-5; the Christian is begotten unto a living hope according to the Lord’s mercy; this inheritance the Lord gives is reserved in heaven for those who love and obey His will (cf. Acts 5:32). Notice, also, that by “...the power of God [we] are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
The gospel of Christ is an effective shield against all forces of evil when one continues to respond to God in faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. This means faith in God, which is trust, reliance, obedience to His will is the avenue God uses to protect those who love Him. Think about the word conviction; conviction assumes grounded knowledge exists upon which one builds his house (so to speak). The house built is strong enough to withstand the forces of evil that thrusts itself against it. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the words of Christ (Rom. 10.17). Thus, when Christians walk by faith, he and she walks by the will of God (2 Cor. 5.7). They live by faith. Living by faith meaning living by the will of God. Living by the will of God means God’s protective shield is around you, teaching you not only the ways of righteousness, but making you aware of the schemes of the devil (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11).
- Ron Thomas preacher for the Sunrush Church of Christ,
Chillicothe, OH. He may be contacted through the
congregation's website. http://sunrushchurchofchrist.com/
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