When we think of power associated with God we might picture the creation of earth, the raising of the dead, thunder, lightning, sending plagues upon Egypt. Yet here is our apostle saying that THE EVANGEL is power—GOD'S power, even. What? A collection of words is power?

What is the evangel? "Christ died for our sins, was entombed, and roused the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The import of these simple words are wholly underestimated. Note the lack of any whiff of human contribution. Yet human contribution is added to this and read into it by those tripping on and snared by the completeness of Christ's sacrifice. To the religious man or woman, only their contribution and obedience to the words (what is there to obey?) can assure their salvation. The naked words, alone, save no one.

That's what they think.

But the opposite of true. The words of the evangel (the enactment of the words) save everyone. The words of the evangel describe what occurred to ensure that God will eventually become "All in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28): CHRIST died; CHRIST; was entombed; CHRIST raised from the dead.

NOTHING ADDED.

When this message—this evangel—is understood, it packs tremendous power. It is a power that gives peace, assurance, expectation, while at the same time expecting nothing from you. If you could take a "power pill" that was guaranteed to give you these three things—peace; assurance, expectation—wouldn't you take it?

Then stop looking in the mirror and get a dose of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.