Romans 15:14-17

Passage

And I myself have been convinced regarding you all, my brothers and sisters, that even you all are full of goodness – having been filled with all knowledge while being powerful enough to instruct each other.  But I wrote boldly to you all in some parts as while causing you all to think again through the grace that was being given to me by God in order that I am a servant of Christ Jesus into the Gentiles – while serving the Gospel of God as a priest – in order that the offering of the Gentiles should become acceptable having been made holy in the Holy Spirit.  Therefore I have a reason for boasting in Jesus Christ regarding the things of God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul is convinced that the Christians in Rome have become filled with the knowledge of God enough that they can instruct one another.  That doesn’t make them perfect.  Nor does it mean they know everything that God knows – or even Paul knows.  But they know enough to get to work.  They know enough that they can start to teach one another.  They know enough to instruct one another, to listen to one another, to correct one another, and to encourage one another.  They know enough to disciple one another in Christ.  Having reached that point, Paul encourages them to get going!

Have you ever hesitated in making disciples because you didn’t think you knew enough?  Are you willing to overcome that reality?  Will you ever know everything?

Second Thought:

Paul then reminds everyone that he has become a servant in the Gospel.  He serves Jesus Christ.  Remember that just yesterday we were reminded about the importance of seeing Christ as a servant.  Just as Christ served, so now Paul serves.  Just as Paul served, we should focus on serving.  It is not about my agenda or your agenda.  It is about being willing to accomplish the will of God.  It is about being willing to do the unthinkable for God – in Paul’s case to go into the Gentiles and live among them while helping to bring whomever he can into a relationship with God.

Are you willing to do the unthinkable?  How difficult do you think it was for Paul to go to the Gentiles at first?  How does this line of thinking help us to understand the importance of having a servant mindset?

Third Thought:

Let’s go a little deeper about the Gentiles.  I speak as one.  Chances are you are reading as one.  God’s plan was not just to go to His own chosen people in the Jews.  He desired to open the door to anyone that would receive His grace.  This is the fullness of God’s love: He would go to a people who have never had any relationship with Him and begin that relationship.  God planned to send His own people into the world for the sake of those who have no means of coming into a relationship with Him.  That is why Jesus came.  That is why Paul went out.  That is the calling into which God is desperately trying to call you.

Are you willing to speak about God to people who have no relationship with Him?  Why is this difficult?  What preparation do you need before you can do that effectively?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 15:18-21