O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? by John Murray

“Why is the gospel so powerful? Why is the gospel the omnipotent power of God operative unto salvation? Just for this reason: that it is the Word of God! And the Word of God is never void of power! “The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit… and is a discernment of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). The Word of the gospel is the Word of God, and it isn’t a dead word; it’s a living voice! It’s the living voice of God as surely as those who heard the Word of God the Father on his Holy Mount, witnessing to his own Son, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 17:5; cf. 2 Pet 1:17).

So, let us never be deceived by the allegation that is so frequently made that the Word of the gospel itself is a dead word. If we do not hear it as the living voice of God, it’s precisely because the god of this world has blinded our minds lest the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ should shine into our hearts (2 Cor 4:4). The Word of the gospel is the omnipotent power of God operative unto salvation–salvation from sin in its defilement, in its degradation, in its guilt, and in its power. It lifts men out of the degradation and squalor of iniquity and makes them the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty, clothing them with righteousness and establishing them in the ways of integrity.”

John Murray

Reflection:

The gospel is the good news of what God has done to save sinners through Jesus Christ. It is the announcement of His perfect life, substitutionary death, and triumphant resurrection. Through this good news, the Spirit of God brings dead souls back to life. This message saves us from hell and leads us into eternal life with God forever.

We love this gospel, we proclaim this gospel, and we live our lives rooted in the soil of this gospel. At times, we may be tempted to move on from it or shrink back from it—it is foolishness to the world. But God will strengthen us to embrace the foolishness of the cross with Jesus, for His name’s sake. He will lead us to hold fast to the good news of Jesus Christ now and into eternity. Amen!

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