Paul insists the gospel renders God's righteousness operative. The gospel is God's power to bring us home to him, bring us home with honour , bring us home vindicated as his sons and daughters and therein vindicate himself as our deliverer. The gospel is God's power wherein his righteousness operates as God puts men and women right with himself. Faith is simply the bond that binds us to Jesus Christ. Faith is our embracing the One whose arms first embraced us.
Faith is our refusal to run past the outstretched arms of the crucified.
Faith is the gospel in its own power forging its own reception within us. And of this gospel I shall ever remain unashamed.