Author: Will

Romans 15:29 – Blessing Crammed Full

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Romans 15:29 – Blessing Crammed Full

But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Truth to Learn

We serve Christ with His full blessing.

Behind the Words

“I know” is translated from the Greek verb eidō. This particular verb has two meanings depending on the form used. One means “to see or perceive” and the other means “to know.” The form that Paul used here means “to know.” It is in the perfect tense implying past completed action with a continuing result, but with the emphasis on the result. So the best translation of this is probably, “I know” (because I have known for some time).

“Fullness” is from plērōma, derived from the verb plēroō, meaning “to fill completely” or “to cram full until there is no room to add anything more.” Thus, plērōma refers to the complete fullness (nothing left out).

“Blessing” is translated from eulogia, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of logos, meaning “word.” Thus eulogia (from which we get our English word eulogy) refers to “the good words of a commendation or blessing.”

Meaning Explained

It’s interesting to note that Paul had no doubt that he would be going to Spain and stopping by Rome on the way. He starts off this verse with, “But I know that when I come to you.” You will notice that Paul said, “when I come to you,” not “if I come to you.” He was sure that God was leading him to visit Rome. And, when going to Rome, Paul “knew” that he would come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Actually, the Greek words translated “of the Gospel” are missing in most of the major manuscripts. As a result, many textual scholars leave this out in the translation. Hence, this verse should probably say, “And I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.” I like this better that the NKJV translation that we are using for these verses because here Paul is saying that he will come in the fullness of the blessing, not of the gospel of Christ, but of Christ Himself. There is a blessing that we get from the gospel, particularly because we believe it, and also as we share it. But there is a greater blessing that we get from Christ as our Master, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Advocate before the Father, our Lord, and as our future husband. He is “a friend that sticks closer than a brother,” as Proverbs 18:24 puts it.

As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul was a driven person. He knew that his calling was to preach the Gospel message to those in the Gentile world who had never heard it. He was duty bound to fulfill his calling, and he would let nothing stop him from accomplishing his task, but he also knew that he was doing so with the full blessing of his Lord and Savior.

Application

We should never get tired of serving God in the area He has called us. We may get tired “in serving” but never “of serving.” When we get weary from performing the work He has called us to, we need to remember that we are doing so in the fullness of Christ’s blessing. Do you want the full blessings of Christ? Then serve Him with all your strength until you have completed the work He has called you to.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:28 – The Finisher

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Romans 15:28 – The Finisher

Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.

Truth to Learn

Christians should not just be starters, they should be finishers.

Behind the Words

The word translated “performed” is the Greek verb epiteleō, which is a compound word made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and teleō, meaning “to finish” or “to complete.” Hence, Paul is saying “when I have absolutely completed this … I shall go by way of you to Spain.”

The word translated “sealed” is a form of sphragidzō, which means “to seal as one would seal a letter with a signet ring.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now tells the Christians in Rome that he must complete his current task before coming through Rome on the way to Spain. After he delivers the gift from the churches in Greece to the Christians in Jerusalem, he will then move on to the next task God calls him to.

Not only was Paul a driven person (driven by his own desire to serve God and driven by the Spirit of God), but he was also so focused on what he had been called to do that he would not cease until he had completed each task to which God had called him. He would not consider undertaking his journey into Spain until he had made sure that the gift was delivered to the saints in Jerusalem.

Paul now makes a curious remark. He says, “and have sealed to them this fruit.” It is possible that this refers to his having sealed the container or pouch in which the money was carried, thus indicating that he delivered every bit of the contribution, not having removed any of it for any other purpose. Whatever the sealing refers to, it is clear that Paul believed that the gift was fruit. Perhaps he meant that it was the fruit of his own ministry to the Gentile churches. Or perhaps he was referring to the gift as a fruit of the Spirit, freely and joyously given by the churches in Macedonia and Achaia. I suspect, rather, that he was referring to it as the fruit produced from the generous actions of the Greek churches. He used this same metaphor earlier in Romans when he talked about their actions being either fruit unto God or fruit unto death.

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. (Romans 7:4-5)

Once he had delivered this sealed fruit, however, Paul was clearly intending on traveling to Rome to share in the ministry of the church there before continuing on to Spain.

Application

Surely we can all take a lesson from Paul in performing whatever God has called us to do. Whatever He asks us to do, let us do it with undivided attention and determination until it is complete and He calls us to a different task.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:27 – Christian Pay-back

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Romans 15:27 – Christian Pay-back

It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Truth to Learn

We should be a blessing to those who have blessed us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “material” is the Greek word sarkikos, which means “that which pertains to flesh and blood.” It refers to material things like food, clothing, and money.

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “It pleased them indeed.” The first thing we need to ask is, “It pleased whom?” Does Paul mean that it pleased the ones receiving the gifts or that it pleased the ones giving the gifts? The basic rule of grammar is that if there is a pronoun (them) that could apply to more than one subject, it generally refers to the subject most immediately preceding the pronoun (the saints in Jerusalem). Notice we said “generally” because there are exceptions of which this is one. By looking at the second half of this verse we see that Paul is saying that those of Macedonia and Achaia are debtors to the poor saints in Jerusalem. By context “them” and “they,” therefore, are referring to the same group of people, those of Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul is telling the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, and us, that the Gentile Christians in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to give the gifts of money to the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. And to Paul it is obvious why they should be pleased to give these gifts, because they (the Gentile Christians) are indebted to the Jewish Christians.

The next question that we have to ask ourselves then is, “Why were the Gentile Christians indebted to the Jewish Christians?” Remember what Paul said back in the third chapter of Romans?

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1-2)

The Jews were the ones to whom God gave the oracles. The Greek word logia, which is translated “oracles” means “utterances.” In other words, the Jews are the ones who originally received the words of revelation concerning who God is and what He expects from man.

Were it not for the early converts to Christianity, who were Jews, being scattered from Jerusalem, the Gentiles would not have received the message of salvation through faith. And consider this: if Saul (Paul) and others like him had not persecuted the early converts to Christianity, they likely would not have been dispersed after the martyrdom of Stephen. Now we can understand better why Paul felt compelled to spread the gospel after his own conversion since he was one of their fiercest persecutors before he himself got saved.

If the Gentile converts have received spiritual gifts and blessings from the converted Jews, it is only right that they share in their material things with the Jewish converts.

Application

Think for a moment about the people who have provided you with the greatest spiritual blessings in your life. Take a moment to think about who they are and how they have blessed you. You, indeed, are indebted to them! Have you returned the favor by blessing them or other Christians in need?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:26 – Cheerful Giving

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Romans 15:26 – Cheerful Giving

For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to give freely to support the church and to help other Christians in financial need.

Behind the Words

The word translated “poor” in the current verse is the Greek word ptochous, which refers to “someone in abject poverty, utter helplessness, or complete destitution.” In other words, the Christians in Jerusalem to whom Paul was taking the money were not poor, as in unfortunate, they were without money.

Meaning Explained

Paul was going to travel to Jerusalem before heading to Rome on his way to Spain. The purpose of that trip was to take a contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem. The main church in Achaia (southern Greece) was the church at Corinth. To this church Paul sent a couple of letters teaching them to overcome some of the doctrinal errors that were creeping into their congregation. What they didn’t need teaching about, though, was how to give willingly. Here’s what Paul told them:

Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. (2Corinthians 9:1-2)

Paul also told these Corinthians about the generosity of the church in Macedonia (northern Greece):

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2Corinthians 8:1-4)

Both of these churches were eager to help the Church in Jerusalem and may even have been spurred on by Paul through a little friendly competition. These “poor” Christians in Jerusalem were most likely Jews who had been converted through the preaching of the apostles in the days following the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost. But because most of the Jews in Jerusalem refused to believe, they persecuted members of the church, even beating and stoning them. In the beginning of the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, Luke recorded how Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians. This Saul of Tarsus later became the Apostle Paul.

According to Acts 20:22, Paul felt bound by the Spirit of God to make this trip to Jerusalem. It’s quite possible that his reason for wanting to minister to the saints in Jerusalem may also have been out a sense of guilt for what he had done to the Church in Jerusalem many years earlier.

Application

God has gifted some saints with the ability to give generously and freely. Not all of us have that gift, but that doesn’t release the rest of us from our responsibility to give. According to 2Corinthians 9:7, we are not to give grudgingly or out of necessity. God loves a cheerful giver! Do you give out of joy?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:25 – God’s Saints

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Romans 15:25 – God’s Saints

But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

Truth to Learn

All Christians are saints.

Behind the Words

The word translated “minister” should be a familiar word to us by now. It is the Greek word diakoneō, a verb meaning “to serve or wait upon, with emphasis on the work to be done and not on the relationship between the served and the servant.”

The word translated “saints” is the Greek word hagios, which means, “holy one.” This word is believed to be derived from hagos, meaning “that which causes awe.” The root meaning of hagios is “that which is set apart from common use to the service of God.” It also carries with it the notion of ceremonial cleanliness and purity.

Meaning Explained

As we pointed out previously, Paul’s plan was to go to Spain and to stop by Rome on the way so that he could visit the Christians. First, though, he was planning on going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints there. We find a reference to this visit to Jerusalem and his subsequent plans to visit Rome in the book of Acts:

When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” (Acts 19:21)

It is not entirely clear whether Paul meant that he had purposed in his own spirit to make this trip or whether it was the Spirit of God who was directing him in his journeys. I suspect that it was the latter. Either way, he was not planning a vacation; he was planning to “minister to the saints.” Paul was going to Jerusalem as part of his calling to work, not to relax. He was taking money from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (both part of modern day Greece) to give to the saints in Jerusalem.

Let’s talk about the “saints” for a moment. In the New Testament this term is used frequently, not referring to extraordinary people who have performed miracles and have been subsequently proclaimed “saints” by the church, but to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as savior. All of us who are born again Christians are saints according to the doctrines of the apostles. As we learned in the beginning chapters of this letter to the Roman Christians, when we were saved God bestowed His grace on us by proclaiming us to be righteous. In other words, in God’s record book, you and I are without sin because the blood of Christ has washed us clean. And because we now have the righteousness of Christ, legally in God’s court room we stand as holy as God, and we are set-apart for His use.

Application

If you’re a Christian, you’re a holy saint!

“But I don’t feel very holy!” you may say.

Fortunately, our position in God’s eyes doesn’t depend on our feelings or our actions. It depends only on God’s precious gift of grace which we didn’t, don’t, and never will deserve.

Why not get on your knees right now and thank Him for this gift of righteousness and holiness!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit

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Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit

whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

Truth to Learn

Paul wanted to visit the Roman Christians on his way to Spain.

Behind the Words

The first occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from poreuomai, which is based on the noun poros, meaning “a passage way.” Thus, poreuomai means “to travel from one place to another.”

“See” is from theaomai, which means “to view attentively.” Metaphorically, it refers to a personal visit.

The second occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from diaporeuomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel from one place to another.” Therefore, diaporeuomai means “to travel through.”

“Helped on my way” is translated from propempō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and pempō, meaning “to send.” Paul expected the Roman Christians to provide him additional resources for his trip from Rome to Spain.

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul’s plan was to head into Spain after his return from Jerusalem. This was in keeping with the commission that God had given Paul to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ where people had never heard the name of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Paul’s intent was not to stay in Rome. In fact, even though he loved the saints there and wanted to fellowship with them, he was only intending to visit them during his travel through Rome as part of his greater calling. Note that he says “For I hope to see [visit] you on my travel through.” We know, however, that God had different plans for Paul. Instead of visiting Rome on his way to Spain, he was taken to Rome in order to stand trial before Caesar. This Caesar before whom he was to stand was Nero, a Christian hater who would later blame the huge fire which destroyed much of Rome on the Christians. There is some evidence that Nero actually started the fire himself so that he could build a larger palace for himself.

Once again, let us look to Paul as an example of singleness of purpose in serving God. As much as Paul wanted to go to Rome and spend time with the Christians there, he would not do so except as a necessary stop on his way to fulfilling his call. We can also look to this as an example of God’s plan often satisfying the desires that we have. I am reminded of one of the promises in Psalms:

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

There is a two-fold promise contained within this verse. If we make God our delight, that is if we seek him as a source of delight in everything that we do, then He will give us the right kind of desires to have. Not only that, but He will satisfy those very desires which He has put in our hearts.

Application

Where are your desires today? Are they focused on God, or are they focused on the world? Is your delight in God or things?

That’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:23 – Desire to Serve

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Romans 15:23 – Desire to Serve

But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,

Truth to Learn

Paul followed his desires, except when God changed his plan.

Behind the Words

The word “now” is translated from the Greek word nuni. This word is made up of nun, meaning “now” and the letter iota which adds emphasis. Thus, it could be translated “just now.”

“Great desire” is from epipothia, made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and a form of the verb potheō, meaning “to yearn” or “to desire.” Hence, epipothia indicates a strong desire.

Meaning Explained

Having just expressed why he had not yet gone to Rome, Paul tells the Christians there that he is now ready to go. He has finally finished his job of preaching the gospel from Jerusalem all around to Illyricum and now, finally, is at liberty to travel to Rome. In the next verse we will see that Paul’s intention was to visit the church in Rome as part of a trip to Spain, which he was apparently planning to take.

This letter was most likely written while Paul was in Corinth (around A.D. 56) just shortly before he traveled to Jerusalem with an offering for the poor members of the church there (see Romans 15:25). It is likely that Paul expected to travel to Spain after this brief return to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, what was planned as a brief trip ended up being an extended stay; he was put in a Roman prison in Caesarea due to the hatred that the Jews had for him. Though he was never found guilty of any crime, Paul was imprisoned for two years while the trials took place. At the end of this time, in an effort to prevent Governor Festus from sending him back to Jerusalem where the Jews were lying in wait to kill him, Paul appealed to Caesar and was eventually shipped off to Rome to stand trial.

Certainly these were not the circumstances under which Paul intended to travel to Rome. He nonetheless was able to go there and was, in fact, met on the way and accompanied the last day or two of his journey by members of the church at Rome. Paul’s style of loving exhortation and personal transparency, comes out in this letter. This is part of the reason why the Roman Christians were so willing to extend their own efforts to comfort him in his time of distress.

We should take comfort in Paul’s distress, especially when we are faithfully serving Christ and suffering personal attacks by those who claim to be religious. Our adversary will do anything to silence our witness for Christ. So, when those attacks come (and they WILL come), remember how faithfully Paul continued steadfast in the work of the gospel, never doubting that his Lord and Savior was by his side every step of the way.

Application

We might wonder how Paul could maintain his drive to spread the Gospel in the face of all the opposition against him. He probably remembered the promise God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:5 that was quoted by the writer of Hebrews:

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Now, that’s a promise we can all live and serve with!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed

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Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed

For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

Truth to Learn

Doing God’s will often means not doing what we want to do.

Behind the Words

“For this reason” is from the Greek word dio. This is made up of a form of dia, meaning “for” or “through” and the relative pronoun hos, meaning “which.” So, literally, the word dio means “through which,” or “because of this.”

The word “hindered” is translated from the verb engkoptō, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and koptō, meaning “to cut.” So, literally this word means “to cut into.” Figuratively, however, it means “to impede” or “to hinder.”

“Much” is from the Greek words ta polla, which literally means “many things.” From this we know that Paul was not saying “there was a strong hindrance,” but “there were many hindrances.”

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “For this reason.” So, we have to ask ourselves, “For what reason?” The answer is, “because he was so focused on preaching the gospel where Christ had not been named.” Because Paul was so intent on doing what God had called him to do, he was not able to do those things that he himself really wanted to do, like go to Rome to meet the Christians there.

As we will see in the next verse, Paul had a strong desire to travel to Rome, but because of the calling that he had from God he had thus far been prevented from traveling there. Instead, he had traveled throughout modern day Turkey and Greece, responding to God’s leading. A dramatic example of his receiving direction from God occurs in Acts chapter sixteen:

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10)

Not only was Paul submitted to God’s lordship over him, but he was also committed to doing what God called him to do. In fact, Paul was so compelled to follow God’s calling for him that he said the following of himself in his first letter to the Christians at Corinth:

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Corinthians 9:16)

This is the kind of commitment to doing God’s will instead of his own that enabled Paul to be so powerfully used of God

Application

Do you want God to use you? Are you willing to do whatever He calls you to instead of what you want to do?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:21 – Evangelistic Tenacity

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Romans 15:21 – Evangelistic Tenacity

but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand.”

Truth to Learn

Isaiah prophesied about Gentiles believing in the Messiah.

Behind the Words

“Announced” is from anangellō, which is made up of ana, indicating repetition or specificity and angellō, meaning “to declare, proclaim, or announce.” Anangellō indicates a detailed proclamation or a repeated proclamation.

The word “see” is translated from a form of horaō, meaning “to see or perceive (either visually or cognitively).

“Understand” is translated from the verb suniēmi, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and hiēmi, meaning “to send or to put.” Thus, this word literally means “to put together mentally.” In other words it means “to comprehend or to understand.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about being singularly focused on performing the ministry to which he was called by God, the ministry of declaring the message of salvation through the death of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus the Christ. He has demonstrated repeatedly that he was a student of the Scriptures. Here he quotes a scripture that is clearly in reference to the Messiah. Most of us can recognize one of the great messianic prophecies when we hear the beginning of Isaiah 53:

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. (Isaiah 53:1-2)

But who of us can recognize the last three verses of the chapter immediately preceding this one?

Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men; so shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider. (Isaiah 52:13-15)

Paul was keenly aware of Isaiah chapter 52 and recognized that verse fifteen was a reference to the Gentiles understanding the message about the Messiah. He may have claimed this verse as his “life verse,” the verse that defined his mission in life. Some Biblical scholars even believe that Paul understood this prophecy to be a specific reference to his own apostolic ministry. Whether or not that is so and whether or not Paul claimed this as his life verse, he nonetheless recognized that Isaiah prophesied concerning the Gentiles believing in the Messiah. He also recognized that he personally had a calling from God to preach the message to those who had never heard about salvation in Jesus Christ. Not only did he know what his calling was, but he was so focused on his calling that he did not let anything distract him from performing it.

Application

Oh, that we were as clear about our calling and as tenacious in our pursuit of it!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:20 – Singular Ambition

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Romans 15:20 – Singular Ambition

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,

Truth to Learn

All Christians are called and gifted to build the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The expression “I have made it my aim” is translated from the Greek verb philotimeomai. This word is made up of philos, meaning “a friend,” (expressing the fondness between good friends) and a form of time, meaning “honor.” Thus, we see this word literally means “a love or fondness of honor.” By application, it means “to make something an ambition” or “to aspire to something.” It is expressed here as a present participle so it might literally be translated, “making it my ambition.”

The words “preach the gospel” are from the Greek verb euangelidzō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of angellō, meaning “to tell or to proclaim.” It means “to proclaim the gospel” or “to evangelize.”

“Build” is from oikodomeō, which literally means “to build a house.” The particular house that Paul is building is the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Meaning Explained

It is clear from this verse that Paul was absolutely certain of the calling he had from God. As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was called to evangelize among the heathen who had not yet heard the gospel message. He said in the previous verse that he had fully preached the gospel from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. And in the verse before that, he would take no credit for the work that that the Spirit had done through others. He now explains why.

Paul says, “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel.” In other words, Paul was singularly focused on preaching the gospel, making it his greatest ambition. From the moment of his conversion he recognized God’s calling in his life, thus his ambition from that time was to proclaim the good message, or good news, about salvation through Jesus Christ.

And, he says that his ambition was to preach the good news to people who had never heard the name of Jesus Christ. His reason for doing this was because he was not called to build upon someone else’s work. God called Paul to proclaim Christ to those who had never heard the gospel and that is precisely what he wanted to do.

God has not called us all to this type of ministry. There are many different spiritual gifts that God has given to the members of the church through the Holy Spirit, and we each have a calling that is empowered by the gifts He has given us. God does not expect us all to travel to foreign lands and proclaim the gospel to those who have never heard it. Some, like Paul, are called to do that but others are specifically called to teach, to encourage, to be a helper, or to give generously from what God has blessed us with. However, we are all called to share our testimony with those around us, and we are all called to give of ourselves, our time, and our money. Where and how we do this depends on what God has called us to do.

Application

Do you know what God has called you to do within the body of Christ? Are you making it your singular ambition to know what that calling is and to fulfill it for God’s glory?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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