Josh M wrote:
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for ***it is the power of God unto salvation*** to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
You forgot to highlight the other point made by Paul. Namely 16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation ******to every one that believeth;****** to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
In other words the gospel is ONLY the power of God when the Holy Spirit indwells the sinner.
Paul goes on to say
17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
= And faith is the GIFT OF GOD - Not a human ability.
Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."