It is the Gospel that serves as the bridge between Paul’s own missionary activity and our activity today. Our text for encouragement will be Romans 1:1-17.
The “Gospel” is the theme of the letter and the theme of this first paragraph. Notice the word used in verses 1, 9, 15, 16. Verses 15-17 are the theme of the whole letter.
THE GOAL OF THIS MISSIONARY GOSPEL:
Paul’s life was totally dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Christ. He says in verse 1 that he was called, set apart for the Gospel. Once you and I become Christians, that’s the goal or it should be the goal of our lives too, wherever we are – to live the Gospel, exemplify the Gospel, and share the Gospel.
In verse 5, Paul says that he received grace and the apostleship in order to bring about the obedience of faith among the Gentiles for His name’s sake. What that phrase does is show us the purpose of the preaching – to bring about obedience. It shows us the sphere: “among the Gentiles,” that is, all the nations. The phrase also shows us the ultimate focus – “for the sake of the name of Christ.”
This expression “obedience of faith” means something like “faith’s obedience” or “believing obedience.” What Paul has in mind here is the total response of man to God – a life characterized by faith and obedience.
SERVING GOD WHOLE-HEARTEDLY IN THE GOSPEL OF HIS SON:
Observe verse 9 – “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you.”
The verb “I serve” is used of religious service. “In my spirit” shows that Paul’s heart and life was involved, totally. And “in the preaching of the gospel” shows the realm/sphere of his service.
Paul put his whole heart into preaching the Gospel and sharing it with others. It was the focus of his life and the goal of his service. As he says in 1 Corinthians 1:17 – “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.”
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EAGER TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IN ROME:
Here, we are looking at verses 14-17. Paul was obligated to Christ and therefore, obligated to both Greeks, barbarians, wise, unwise – to anyone whom Christ wished to bring to salvation. In other words, everyone.
Not only does the Gospel create a Christian life (viewed as a “new birth” – 1 Cor. 4:15) but it is the “sphere” in which all Christian life is lived (Phil. 1:27).
So, the “fruit” Paul wants from the Roman Christians (1:13) is their strengthened faith and their continued obedience.
Thus, Paul says those very important words in 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Paul was not ashamed. Paul’s confidence did not lie in his circumstances. It rested in God who had called Paul to preach and who worked through Paul.
The Gospel calls on us and demands of us a deep commitment to the ongoing, powerful advance of the Gospel and to the person at its core – Jesus Christ.
We need to dedicate our hearts to the advancement of God’s power to save – the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
–Paul Holland
