CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
Romans 1:13-15
In Romans 1:13 the Apostle Paul informs the people of the church at Rome that he has been planning on coming to visit them, but has experienced some issues that have kept him from doing so. He tells them that he wants to have some fruit among them as with the other places/cities in which he has preached the gospel. “To have some fruit” could possibly mean two things; (1) that he has a desire to lead some of them who have not understood salvation in Christ Jesus, to repentance and a new life in Christ Jesus. (2) That he can share the gospel and his testimony with them (in Christ), and that they too can share their testimonies with him, and in so, be an encouragement and blessing to one another. Paul continues in Romans 1:14-15 to explain to the church at Rome that he is called to preach the gospel to everyone and states, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (NKJV).
This is an example of a sincere heart in one’s calling from God in the need to share the gospel message with all humanity.
This is an example of the promise that Jesus died to save all people from the wrath due for sin.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV), “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” This, I believe, is how we should reach out to one another to share the gospel and our testimonies. We should not try to force others into our thinking and worldview, but strive to put ourselves in their shoes and seek to understand where they are at in their worldview. By this, we are showing a compassion and heartfelt desire to them – we are showing them that we care about them. If we want to reach others for Christ Jesus, we must show them that we care for them, and be patient for Christ to work through His Holy Spirit in the seeds that we plant in their lives.
Dear LORD,
Please give us hearts such as You gave to the Apostle Paul in that we would strive to show a concern for others in sharing the gospel and our testimonies with them that we would build a relationship with them – in Christ Jesus – that Your great love that You have shown us in leading us to You through Christ Jesus may be seen in our lives in reaching out to others – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.