Romans 1:13-15: "Living in the Spirit Part II"
As we continue with our outline ...
A Fruitful Spirit
Paul makes sure that his audience understands his deep rooted desire to see them. He had often desired to come see them, yet, had frequently been diverted by other things that the Lord had put before him. Again, we can see the goal and focus of Paul's visit, "in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles." According to MacArthur the Bible uses the term fruit in three different ways. He explains, "In one way, it is used as a metaphor for the attitudes that characterize the Spirit-led believer. . . . In a second way, spiritual fruit refers to action. 'Now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God,' the apostle declares, 'you derive your benefit [lit. fruit], resulting in sanctification' (Rom. 6:22), that is, holy living. . . In a third way, spiritual fruit involves addition, the increase of converts to Christ and the increase of their spiritual growth in Him . . . Among the Romans, the fruit Paul longed for was of the third kind addition." Paul was very aware of God's power to change lives. He knew that God had gifted him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the truth. Paul was hoping that with his availability to come see them that he would be able to see lives and hearts changed, just as he had among the Gentiles. Again, we get a glimpse into the heart of Paul and his desire for others to be saved. He knew that he could be an encouragement to the young believers there as well. Because of his spiritual maturity, he could come alongside the Jewish believers and help them to be more fruitful in their walk. We need to look into our hearts and ask ourselves if we are the type of people that cause others to be more like Christ. Are we men and women that others grow in their spiritual walk because of our influence on them?
An Obedient Spirit
Paul's obedient spirit can be seen throughout his converted life. Paul never shied away from proclaiming the truth (even when it meant persecution), he never shied away from traveling to unknown lands (even if it meant his life). From the moment Christ entered Paul's life, he became a humble and obedient follower. Paul explains his reason for desiring to minister to them. "I am under obligation". Paul did not see evangelism as a choice, instead it was willing obedience to carry out the mission that Christ had laid out for his life. This is clearly explained in his letter to the Corinthians, "Don't thank me for wanting to minister to you. Although I love you and sincerely want to visit you, I was sovereignly appointed to this ministry long before I had a personal desire for it" (I Cor. 9:16ff). If anyone was spiritually lost - it was Paul's duty to proclaim the truth to them. He lived his whole life in sacrifice of his needs and desires and lived out his calling which was to preach the gospel "to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish". By barbarians Paul is calling out all those who were considered inferior to the culturized and learned Greeks. This statement basically shows that Paul's calling was for everyone. There was no on outside of God's plan for salvation, and it was his calling to reach all of them. God is no respector of persons when it comes to salvation, and Paul was no respector of persons when it came to preaching the gospel.
An Eager Spirit
Paul sums up all he has said to them in the previous 7 verses by saying, "I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome." He knew that Rome was a place he had longed to visit for awhile, and he had been hindered. Now we get to see his true motivation for going, and that is to do what he was called to do: preach the gospel to them. Paul knew that Rome was a place that needed to hear the gospel. We can look back over all the spiritual characteristics exemplified in Paul, and we can see his true desire for the lost. The study of this section has confronted me in the area of boldness. Do I desire to save the lost as Paul was? Am I eager in my desire to share? Is it my compulsion? Or am I selective in who I choose to talk to? May we all pray for Paul's boldness and love for the lost.
A Fruitful Spirit
Paul makes sure that his audience understands his deep rooted desire to see them. He had often desired to come see them, yet, had frequently been diverted by other things that the Lord had put before him. Again, we can see the goal and focus of Paul's visit, "in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles." According to MacArthur the Bible uses the term fruit in three different ways. He explains, "In one way, it is used as a metaphor for the attitudes that characterize the Spirit-led believer. . . . In a second way, spiritual fruit refers to action. 'Now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God,' the apostle declares, 'you derive your benefit [lit. fruit], resulting in sanctification' (Rom. 6:22), that is, holy living. . . In a third way, spiritual fruit involves addition, the increase of converts to Christ and the increase of their spiritual growth in Him . . . Among the Romans, the fruit Paul longed for was of the third kind addition." Paul was very aware of God's power to change lives. He knew that God had gifted him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the truth. Paul was hoping that with his availability to come see them that he would be able to see lives and hearts changed, just as he had among the Gentiles. Again, we get a glimpse into the heart of Paul and his desire for others to be saved. He knew that he could be an encouragement to the young believers there as well. Because of his spiritual maturity, he could come alongside the Jewish believers and help them to be more fruitful in their walk. We need to look into our hearts and ask ourselves if we are the type of people that cause others to be more like Christ. Are we men and women that others grow in their spiritual walk because of our influence on them?
An Obedient Spirit
Paul's obedient spirit can be seen throughout his converted life. Paul never shied away from proclaiming the truth (even when it meant persecution), he never shied away from traveling to unknown lands (even if it meant his life). From the moment Christ entered Paul's life, he became a humble and obedient follower. Paul explains his reason for desiring to minister to them. "I am under obligation". Paul did not see evangelism as a choice, instead it was willing obedience to carry out the mission that Christ had laid out for his life. This is clearly explained in his letter to the Corinthians, "Don't thank me for wanting to minister to you. Although I love you and sincerely want to visit you, I was sovereignly appointed to this ministry long before I had a personal desire for it" (I Cor. 9:16ff). If anyone was spiritually lost - it was Paul's duty to proclaim the truth to them. He lived his whole life in sacrifice of his needs and desires and lived out his calling which was to preach the gospel "to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish". By barbarians Paul is calling out all those who were considered inferior to the culturized and learned Greeks. This statement basically shows that Paul's calling was for everyone. There was no on outside of God's plan for salvation, and it was his calling to reach all of them. God is no respector of persons when it comes to salvation, and Paul was no respector of persons when it came to preaching the gospel.
An Eager Spirit
Paul sums up all he has said to them in the previous 7 verses by saying, "I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome." He knew that Rome was a place he had longed to visit for awhile, and he had been hindered. Now we get to see his true motivation for going, and that is to do what he was called to do: preach the gospel to them. Paul knew that Rome was a place that needed to hear the gospel. We can look back over all the spiritual characteristics exemplified in Paul, and we can see his true desire for the lost. The study of this section has confronted me in the area of boldness. Do I desire to save the lost as Paul was? Am I eager in my desire to share? Is it my compulsion? Or am I selective in who I choose to talk to? May we all pray for Paul's boldness and love for the lost.
posted by amesfam | 12:13 PM
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