For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”1
The term gospel was translated to English from the Hebrew besorah; the word literally means a bearer of good news.2 Heralds were originally a messenger used by monarchs or noblemen to convey messages or proclamations; e.g., to report a victory over a war.3
To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.4 In context, there were only two groups of people: the Jews (chosen and set apart for God), and the Gentiles (the others, including the Greeks). The whole Bible is the story of Jesus; God began with the end in sight. He reveals himself little at a time until we are able to receive a total revelation. His promises are partial, progressive, and conditional. He requires obedience; not our insistence on proof.5 God is pleased through our faith.6
God is holy! And our understanding of such brings us to repentance. After Isaiah’s vision of the Lord, he said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”7 In fact, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. . . so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.8
After Isaiah acknowledged his sinfulness and repented, a seraphim flew over with burning coal which he had taken from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”9
Isaiah’s revelation was a foreshadow of how we shall be reconciled back to God. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.10 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.11 We cannot attain salvation through our own efforts! God’s holiness will not allow it. For even our best works are likely filthy rags (literally, used menstrual cloth).12
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”13 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.14
It is by grace we are saved through faith. And this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God.15
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.16
Jesus said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.16
Notes:
1. Romans 1:16-17
2. https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/evangelism-definition
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herald#:~:text=Heralds%20were%20originally%20messengers%20sent,
King%20Henry%20V%20to%20fight.
4. Romans 3:2
5. Jesus and Thomas. John20:24-25
6. Hebrews 11:6
7. Isaiah 6:5
8. Romans 3:23-26
9. Isaiah 6:6-7
10. Romans 5:8
11. Romans 6:23
12. Isaiah 64:6
13. Hebrews 3:15
14. Proverbs 28:14
15. Ephesians 2:8-9
16. Hebrews 10:35-26
17. John 19:30
