“EAGER TO SHARE”
Romans 1:15
- A devotional Bible study by Rev. Don Schink, © 2010
Romans 1:15
- A devotional Bible study by Rev. Don Schink, © 2010
Romans 1:15:
“That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” (NIV)
Paul’s sense of obligation was out of conviction to share the gospel message to those in Rome. God had done a remarkable miraculous work in Paul’s heart and life and he was eager to pass that on. As we become aware of Who He truly is and how great of a sacrifice that Christ has made for our personal salvation, we should be eager to share with others. We do so out of “an attitude of gratitude.”
People need to experience firsthand the power of the saving and sanctifying love and grace of the Savior. Today’s church as a whole is in trouble. We need to make sure that we share the true gospel message and be open to allow the Holy Spirit to speak in us and through us, as He is more than willing to do. In 2 Timothy 4:3-5, the Bible says, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (4) They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (5) But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
Even in Paul’s day he was keenly aware that not all who hard or shared the gospel did so with the right motives. Even in Paul’s day, there were those who interpreted what they heard to suit their own needs. This is even so much truer in our day as we get ready for the return of Christ! There is a special diligence in faithfully sharing the Word of God. There is a sense of urgency to share, as such, because we don’t know that this may be the last day that we have to share. Jesus could come as we speak. Also, none of us know how much time that we have left on this earth, individually, and should yearn to make every day count as if it were our last day on earth!
In 2 Timothy 4:5-8, we read, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” Paul testified to young Timothy, and to whoever has read these verses, as to how he had remained faithful to the end. By this time, he knew that his ministry and earthly life was near the end. Hopefully, each of us can have the assurance and be able to testify to the same experience.
We have been given a glimpse into the heart, mind and the life of Paul for a reason. Prior to his Damascus Road conversion, he was a very selfish and hard-hearted person, even to the point of being on a mission to persecute and kill those who believed in Jesus Christ. After his Damascus Road experience, Paul is not the same man as he was before. His whole heart and life were turned around. He was profoundly converted to Christ and would never be the same again. He spent the rest of his life in “an attitude of gratitude,” paying the price of a true evangelist, eager to share Christ with a fervency. He had a remarkable ministry in spite of extreme trials. He remained true to the end. You and I need to learn from his example and to do the same.
For questions and comments, please email me: PastorDonNM@gmail.com
