Recently I was meditating on Romans 15:18-19 and realized that many of us don’t fully appreciate all we have available in Christ. Take a look:
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
The Apostle Paul said He walked in signs and wonders so he could fully preach the gospel. This statement implies it is possible to partially preach the gospel. What does that mean?
The word Greek word for gospel is euangélion, which literally means almost too good to be true news. Thousands of years ago when Rome conquered new territories, Caesar would send out messengers to preach the euangélion, which was the good news that Rome was now in charge and would transform every aspect of their new citizens lives. This included economic, military, educational, and civic affairs. The big idea I want you to take from this is the euangélion was more than just a change in status for Rome’s new citizens. It was also a change in their present tense reality to become more like Rome.
This is the concept Paul wants us to see when he says he fully preached the gospel of Christ. Fully preaching the gospel means more than God has changed our eternal destination from hell to heaven. While that’s a very important part of the gospel, there is so much more. Fully preaching the gospel includes the power of the Holy Spirit to bring forth mighty signs and wonders, which change our present tense reality. This makes earth more like heaven the same way Caesar wanted to make the conquered territory more like Rome (Matthew 6:10).
Salvation from God’s perspective is much bigger than salvation from our sins. If that is all we we preach, we are only partially preaching the gospel. The fulness of the gospel includes wholeness in our spirit, soul, and body.
The Greek word for salvation is sṓzō, which means to save, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):—heal, preserve, do well, be (make) whole. The word sṓzō is used many times when people were saved from their sins, but it is also used numerous times when Jesus or one of the apostles prayed for someone to be healed. Here are a few scriptural examples where this concept applies:
- Healing – When Jesus went to the cross He paid for sickness the same way He paid for sin. 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
- Prosperity – When Jesus went to the cross He paid for the curse of poverty the same way He paid for sin. This is salvation of our finances. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
- Mental Peace – When Jesus went to the cross He suffered mental oppression and depression so we could be set free. Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
- Protection – Part of our salvation package is divine protection in this life. Matthew 8:25-26 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
These are just a few examples of the fulness of the gospel, but there are many more you will find as you study the scripture. The purpose of this article was to inspire us to believe for more than the salvation of our sins and encourage us to discover all God’s word promises. As we discover what the Bible promises and declare these promises out of our mouths, the Holy Spirit will move and change our present tense reality to make it more like heaven. If you’d like to learn more, check out this message I taught at Grace Life Church.
