This is the work of God! – Friday, 23 March

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16 KJV
 
The law is not the power of God to help us experience salvation (and everything it includes) and have a relationship with God. So many people believe that the law is something to live up to; a set of instructions that if followed will result in a reward of salvation (healing, freedom, prosperity and wholeness). Too many Christians believe that if they follow the law, God will be pleased with them and it will help them grow in their relationship with God but salvation, which includes a relationship with God, is the gift of God, not the reward of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), and He is dealing with us in grace not according to our performance. Believing the message (good news gospel) of what Jesus has done for us and is freely offering us, is the key to releasing the power of God to save, heal, restore and make us whole in every area of our lives.  
 
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
John 6:29 ESV
 
We often think we need to work at being righteous and holy, and doing good so that we can be accepted by God or receive from Him (healing, deliverance, blessing etc), but the work of God is to believe. The gospel isn’t complicated and experiencing salvation isn’t difficult! Under the Old Covenant right doing was necessary to be accepted by God and to receive from Him, but under the New Covenant it’s all about right believing – believing in Jesus and what He has done for us.
 
The message of the gospel of grace takes the pressure off us because it reveals that there is absolutely nothing that we can do to be loved by God, accepted by Him, blessed by Him, healed by Him or receive anything from Him.  The nearly-too-good-to-be-true news reveals what Jesus has done for us and what He is freely offering us. We cannot add any effort or works to the perfect finished work of Jesus (Romans 11:6). He has done it all, and all we can do is believe and receive!
 
Salvation is an all-inclusive package. It’s more than forgiveness of sins and includes healing, deliverance, prosperity, wholeness, joy, peace and so much more. All of this is a gift to be received, not a reward to be earned. Believing the good news about what Jesus has done for us releases the power of God to manifest this all-inclusive package of salvation in our lives. Joy, peace, healing, freedom, prosperity and salvation in any area of your life are all provided for you in the good news. All you need to do to experience it is understand and believe the gospel. The just shall live by faith, not by performance! It’s that easy!