The Heart of the Gospel

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

This entry is without doubt the most important post I have submitted so far in this examination of Paul's letter to the Romans. We now come to the very heart of the message he delivers in the letter and, therefore, the very heart and essence of the Christian gospel. Here is the Christian message, expressed clearly and simply. I pray you have ears to hear its powerful message.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.�?

The gospel reveals "a righteousness from God". Please notice the exact terminology at this point: Paul does not say the rightousness of God, but a righteousness from God. The gospel reveals a righteousness that comes from and originates with God.

Paul then goes on to explain that this "righteousness from God" is "by faith from first to last." Paul is expressing the central truth of his letter - that righteousness is given to people by God through faith. To put it in different words, this is the teaching of justification through faith. It means that God gives righteousness to people who have faith in Jesus Christ.

The authentic Christian gospel, the message that Paul and the other apostles proclaimed, was that God gives righteousness to human beings who believe in Christ. This is the central truth of the gospel. The gospel - the good news of salvation - reveals this truth. It is this fact, revealed through the gospel, that is the reason why the gospel is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who beleives". The gospel enables people to hear the powerful truth that through faith in Christ, they are declared righteous by God.

Let's let the paint dry on this truth before we go any further.

Is this the gospel you received? It is the only message Paul preached.