I noticed something interesting in Romans 1 today! Look at verses 1-2:
1 From Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, 2 Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures
We know from reading the Gospels that many of the religious leaders refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah during His ministry, even though He fulfilled every prophecy! He came healing and performing outstanding miracles, and yet they refused to believe. Instead, they attacked Him at every turn, plotted against Him to try and trip Him up, and eventually tried Him in an illegal trial and sentenced Him to be crucified. Now WE know that His death, burial and resurrection was planned by God for the salvation of the world, but THEY were the instruments through which this was all carried out! They SHOULD have known Who He was and believed on Him themselves. This reminds me very much of what is going on in some circles today. Look at verse 16:
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
This "salvation" is the Greek word "soteria", which means: safety, preservation, health, deliverance. This applies to every area of our natural, human lives. THIS is needful here, in THIS life! There will be no need for these things in the Heaven of the Bible! There will be nothing in Heaven to be delivered, protected or saved FROM! AMEN! SO, the Gospel of Jesus Christ IS God's miracle working power to deliver us to overcoming victory in every area! It is revealed throughout the New Testament. We have verses such as these:
3 John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
John 10:10: The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
The thing that I noticed today is how the very same spirits operate through people today that operated through these religious leaders in Jesus ministry! People who SHOULD know and understand God's miraculous provision and abundance through His Word and obedience to it, are quick to slander, malign, pass judgement on and verbally harass those who have dared to believe God's Word concerning health and healing, prosperity, favor, anointing and abundance in every area! These same people don't bat an eye at celebrities, athletes, authors, and others enjoying riches and a rich lifestyle, but come unhinged when a minister of the Gospel is blessed beyond measure! We should be rejoicing when we see a member of the Body of Christ living in the abundant blessing of a life led in obedience to the Word! It should encourage each of us to keep pressing on and fully expect God's very best in our own lives! AMEN! I pray that YOU are one of THESE! Here, to encourage you in the abundant blessing of our new and better Covenant, is Hillsong United with "Salvation is Here":
Shalom in Him!
