Romans: By His Grace - For His Glory
6th in the Series
Romans 1:12-16a
March 31, 1996
by J. David Hoke
. . . that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel
(Romans 1:12-16a NIV)
Corrie Ten Boom in her book, The Hiding Place, relates an incident which taught
her a very important principle. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to
Ravensbruck, the worst German prison camp they had seen. Upon entering the barracks, they
found them extremely overcrowded and flea infested. Their Scripture reading that morning
had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all
circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and give thanks to the Lord for every detail of
their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas,
but Betsy persisted. She finally succumbed. And during the months spent at that camp, they
were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without
guard interference. It was several months later when they learned that the guards would
not enter the barracks because of the fleas.
Do the circumstances you face change your attitude, or does your attitude change the
circumstances? The real answer is that neither is true. But your attitude will change how
you deal with your circumstances and determine the impact those circumstances have on you.
And often, God will use those circumstances to do a work in your life. You see, He is not
after your comfort. He is after your maturity.
How would you describe those characteristics of Christian maturity that every Christian
should possess? In our last study, we saw five marks of Christian character that Paul
possessed: A Thankful Attitude; A Servant's Spirit; A Prayerful Concern; A Submissive
Will; and A Gracious Heart. In this study we will add five more marks of maturity to that
list.
It should be noted, however, that all of these marks of Christian character or maturity
come from a life that has been seasoned and tested through the tough times. We learn the
most from the difficulties we face. It is in the fire that we are refined and that our
character is molded. When we can thank God for the fleas, then we have taken a great step
in the right direction. Then we begin to really understand what God is after in our lives.
A Humble Mentality
One of the greatest stumbling blocks in the Christian life is pride. Pride keeps us
from admitting that we have a need. Pride also keeps us from being in a position where we
can receive from God. Pride keeps us from experiencing what God desires for us in our
lives.
Paul had learned both the destructive power of pride and the constructive value of
humility. As a result, he had adopted a humble mentality. He talks to these inexperienced
Roman Christians about being mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Here was
the great apostle, who had accomplished many mighty works in the name of Jesus Christ,
telling these young Christians that he could receive from them. He not only
wanted to give some spiritual gift to them, he declared that he needed to receive from
them out of their storehouse of faith. This indicates a genuine humility in Paul.
When we find ourselves in the frame of mind which leads us to believe that no one can
teach us anything, we are in a very dangerous position. In fact, we are deluded. We are
very much like those Christians Paul described in the church in Corinth. They had divided
into various groups based on the teaching of the teacher they were partial to. Some were
following Paul, others Apollos, still others Cephas (or Peter), and finally, some claimed
they followed Christ. What some fail to understand, however, is that all of those groups
were wrong. Not only were those wrong who claimed to follow the human teachers, but so was
the group who claimed to follow Christ. You see, they were all claiming that their way was
right. They were all puffed up in the pride of their position. Paul pointed out to them
the error of their divisive spirit. Pride has no place in the body of Christ. Christ is
not divided. When we are, we are not walking in humility.
We must be open to hear Christ speak to us through whomever He chooses. The youngest
believer in Christ can be an instrument through whom Christ speaks. We all can learn from
one another. In fact, we must. This is how we grow in our faith. And it is through a
humility of mind that we will be always open to receive from one another. This is the kind
of attitude Paul maintained. This is the kind of attitude that is a mark of maturity for
the believer.
A Purposeful Determination
But while Paul maintained a humility of mind, he was far from passive. In fact, Paul
had many plans which motivated him. He was possessed by a purposeful determination to
accomplish the Lord's work.
One can see this clearly in verse 13 when he says, "I do not want you to be
unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from
doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had
among the other Gentiles."
Paul understood the God had a plan for his life and that he should make plans in accord
with the plan of God. He told the Roman Christians that he planned many times to come
to them. His life had direction. He made plans. And so should we.
Now, our plans, like his, should not be simply pulled out of the air. We should never
simply make plans and ask God to bless what we have planned. No, our plans should be based
upon our understanding of the will of God gained through prayer and the Word. Paul prayed
and knew that God desired to use him to reap a harvest of people for the Kingdom.
He understood clearly his purpose. Therefore, Paul could confidently assure the Christians
in Rome that God desired for him to reap a harvest among you, just as I have had among
the other Gentiles. Paul had a purpose. That purpose was given to him by God. He was
driven by that purpose for his life. That purpose guided what he did and didn't do.
A mark of maturity is that we have a purposeful determination that guides our life and
ministry. And there may be many purposes. But all of these ought to be born in prayer and
study of His Word as we seek God's will in every area.
An Obedient Intent
Not only did Paul have a humble mentality and a purposeful determination, he was guided
by an obedient intent.
He understood fully just what God had done in his own life. He knew where he had come
from and where he was now. He had been delivered by the power of God from a life of
religious zeal without spiritual reality. He had possessed something of the knowledge of
God but without the power. Meeting Jesus Christ had changed all of that for Paul. And now
he could serve Christ as one who could never pay the debt of love he owed. And because of
what Christ had done in his life he felt obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both
to the wise and to the foolish. This obligation was to share the good news of Jesus
Christ with all people. This is what He meant when He said in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "Yet
when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do
not preach the gospel!"
There is a very real sense in which our obedience to Christ is not simply a choice. It
most certainly is a choice to be made, but it is more than that. It is the result
of the life of God in us. Because Jesus Christ has deposited His life in us, we are moved
by that life. We are changed by that life. That life motivates us, stirs us, challenges
us, changes us, and compels us. We are talking about more than an intellectual decision
here. To encounter Christ - really encounter Him - means that we cannot go away unchanged.
Christ makes all the difference in our lives.
Obedience, then, begins as an attitude of mind reflecting the mind of Christ. As we are
being comformed to the image of God's Son, Jesus, we begin to think like Him. And anyone
who thinks like Jesus will desire to please God. So our obedience is more than an
intellectual choice on our part, it is an unavoidable result of a relationship with God.
It was for Paul. It is for us, as well.
An Eager Expectation
The great apostle continues to reveal his heart by telling these Christians in Rome
that he was eager to preach the gospel to them. A characteristic that marked Paul's
life was an eager expectation.
He made plans. He desired to be obedient to Christ. But he approached his task with an
eagerness based on his expectation that God was at work. What an important characteristic
to have.
Are you eager? All of us are eager about some things. We are eager to go to the shore,
or to the mountains, or on vacation. But when we look at our own lives as Christians, how
does the term eager describe us? Are we eager to serve? Are we eager to see the Kingdom
enlarged, when it will cost us our time, energy, money, convenience?
Our eagerness is a reflection of what we love. When we are in love with God, we will be
eager for God's work to be accomplished and His will to be done. And that eagerness will
create an expectation that as we step out in faith we will see God at work.
A Bold Faith
One final characteristic in our text that marked Paul's life was a bold faith. He says
without hesitation that he is not ashamed of the gospel. A mark of maturity in
Christ is a boldness and confidence in Christ.
It is an important lesson to learn. As Christians, we should never be on the defense.
Rather, we should be on the offensive. The Bible tells us that demons tremble before the
power of God. Let the demons tremble - we should not. Over and over God said to Joshua,
"Fear not. Be of good courage."
The reason why we do not have to fear is the same reason why God could tell Joshua not
to fear. It is because God is with us just as He was with Joshua. God's power is just as
real today as it was in the days of Joshua, and in the days of Paul. The power of the
gospel to save is just as real today as ever.
I am reminded of what one Christian disciple wrote:
I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, love with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me.
And when Jesus comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear: I am a part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."
What are those characteristics which mark your life in Christ? Paul's life was marked
by a humble mentality, a purposeful determination, an obedient intent, an eager
expectation and a bold faith. I don't know about you, but I want my life to be like that!
Copyright (C) 1996 J. David Hoke. This data file is the sole property of
the copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without
charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations
used with citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products
offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and e-mailed to J. David Hoke, at David@JDavidHoke.com.