“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God.” [1]
Paul has a river of life proceeding from him. He is social media influencer for Jesus Christ. He joyfully extols the Gospel as having it’s roots in the writings of God’s prophets.
“Which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.” [2]
What was the promise of the prophets? They promised the Son of God! They promised the Messiah (Christ). Connected to King David’s family line via His conception by a virgin! Raised from the dead! Declared to be the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit! Having graced holy apostles with power to bring people from all nations to believe in His Name!
“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His Name.” [3]
Paul celebrated the Romans who responded to the call of Jesus Christ. Called to be loved by God! Called to be holy! Grace to them! Peace from God to them! He thanked God that news of their faith in Christ was spreading everywhere. Even people living in the conquering empire of the world had humbled themselves and turned their lives over to Christ!
“[To] the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” [4]
Paul repeats with resounding joy that he is serving the Gospel of God’s Son. He prays without ceasing for those who have a similar passion. He prays that God will make a way for him to be with them. He wants to impart spiritual gifts to them that will encourage both their faith and his.
“God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” [5]
How does Paul perceive himself in the light of the Gospel?
“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.” [6]
He is humbled by God’s grace. He is ready to share the Gospel with people who speak different languages, and who live by different customs than he does. He is wiling to share the Good News with educated and uneducated people. Paul’s just ready to preach the Gospel.
“I am ready to preach the Gospel to you… I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. It [the Gospel of Christ] is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it [the Gospel of Christ] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” [7]
The Gospel of Christ is about the Son of God canceling your sin debts and issuing to you a royal pardon. A pardon that stems from His grace and love for you! How do you acquire this pardon? You profess faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior. You receive His Holy Spirit to help you live a new life.
The alternative to ignoring and denying salvation by faith in God’s grace is bad.
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” [8]
The truth of righteousness is embodied in Jesus Christ. All righteousness comes from God through His Son Jesus Christ. So, people who suppress the mentioning of the Name of Jesus are under God’s wrath. This truth is illustrated in the Book of Acts when a false prophet named Elymas Bar-Jesus tried to turn a Roman proconsul named Sergius Paulus from believing in Christ. God struck Elymas with a season of blindness. Previously, Christ had struck Paul with temporary blindness, and later, healed him. Jesus offered to Elymas the same opportunity he had offered to Paul to repent of his sin and to believe in Him via this miraculous sign. [9]
What happens when people reject Christ? The lights go out! Their thoughts and hearts become dark. They try replacing the Creator with created things which can never fill the void in our hearts that only He can fill.
“Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man... …They worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [10]
God gives people freewill. We can choose to reject Christ and His Gospel, but we cannot choose the consequence of such a bad decision.
“Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” [11]
Such words are hard to hear but hear them! God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [13] We have a mandate from the King of kings and Lord of lords to spread the message of the Gospel to all nations. To make disciples in His Name! May God graciously grant us the joy that He gave to Paul, namely, to proclaim Christ to the world! Let us labor to connect with the “whosoever.”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [13]
[1] Romans 1:1
[2] Romans 1:2
[3] Romans 1:3-5
[4] Romans 1:6-8
[5] Romans 1:9-12
[6] Romans 1:14
[7] Romans 1:15-17
[8] Romans 1:18
[9] Acts 9:8-9, 18; 13:6-12
[10] Romans 1:22-25
[11] Romans 1:28; 32
[12] 1 Timothy 2:4
[13] John 3:16
No comments:
Post a Comment