There are six basic Greek words in the New Testament that are translated “power”. The word found in Romans 1:16 is, “dunamis”; from which we get our word, “dynamite”.
“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”
But what, specifically, is the ‘dynamite’ power of God to save? After all, are we not given examples of God’s power throughout the scriptures? In reading the creation account we fairly hold our breath as we think of the awesome power of a God who could literally speak His universe into existence. “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens...and it was so.” (Genesis 1:14,15) We saw His power to deliver and preserve His people in the story of the Exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt. This was displayed in many ways; the plagues, His ability to destroy the unbelieving Egyptians while preserving the obedient Israelites, then there was the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10ff). Look at verse 31 of that chapter:
“And when Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.”
His power to deliver, preserve, heal, kill, and even affect the mental status of the individual (Daniel 4:28-37) are recorded for us on virtually every page of scripture.
But the apostle has a very special kind of power in mind in the first chapter of Romans, and if God has a “power” greater than all others, it has to be this.
Think about it. God could have created planets of gold and galaxies of silver, if that would have been enough to purchase back even one soul. But the wages of sin is death. Nothing less than the shedding of blood can make propitiation for the sin of mankind.
Since God is Just, the penalty had to be paid. In order to also be the Justifier of those who believe, He determined to pay the penalty Himself.
“Now the Lord saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him and His righteousness upheld Him.”
Isaiah 59:15b-16
Rejoice with Paul in this; God, who was offended the most, redeemed us to Himself by paying the dearest price! He saw no man able to stand in the gap, so His own strong arm brought salvation to Him, in the sacrifice of His own sinless Son.
In love unfathomable, He did the unthinkable, in order to forgive the unforgivable.
So you see, all evidences of God’s power throughout the scriptures almost pale in comparison to the power He expressed in love. The power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Men have said, “everything has its price”; but the only price that could buy back a lost soul was the shed blood of our innocent savior, Jesus Christ. And it was enough, for everyone who believes!
World rulers have boasted of their power. The power of their armies. Hitler boasted that the Third Reich would reign for 1000 years. But none have ever held a power equal to that of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the gospel message more hearts have been conquered and held than all the besieged cities and all of the fallen or captured in all the world’s battles. Further, earthly conquests are for a time, but the benefits of the gospel message are peace, joy and glory for today and eternity. Earthly armies destroy. The gospel saves. It is the very power of the Most High God for salvation...for everyone who believes!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life”. -John 3:16
