The power of the gospel16I could never be ashamed of believing and proclaiming the gospel. I know that it is God's powerful way of making salvation available to everyone who believes in Jesus, first the Jews to whom He came as Man, then also for people of other nations.17All who believe the good news of Jesus are saved because they are placed in a right relationship with God, regardless of who they are or of what they have done in the past. This relationship with God can only be received as a gift from Him, and is given to those who place their faith in who Jesus is and what He has done for them. It is a matter of faith from beginning to end. Nothing we could ever do by our own efforts could ever make us pleasing to God or place us in a relationship of righteousness with Him; of being made fully acceptable to Him. This is borne out by the fact that the scriptures declare that those who are acceptable to God will live by faith.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)