Romans 15:22-33

                                                             Romans 15:22-33

This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Decisions are a necessary part of any of our lives.  We make decisions about what we plan to do with our time, the places we go, and the way we will prioritize the activities of our lives.  This passage gives us a glimpse into the mind of Paul and the commitments that directed his life.  He made decisions about where to go and what to do based on these commitments.  These are helpful standards by which we should also consider ordering out lives.

 

PAUL’S COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL: Paul had a great desire to go to Rome to encourage the saints there.  However, he had not considered it a priority to go up until this time because the Gospel had already arrived in Rome.  Since Paul’s commitment was to advance the Gospel to new places, Rome did not qualify.  However, the situation had now changed.  His missionary focus on places like Asia Minor, Macedonia and Achaia had reached the point where he was no longer needed.  He had his sights set on Spain so his plan was to visit Rome on the way to Spain so he could enjoy fellowship with them and then be sent out by them to advance the Gospel to Spain.  God had other plans that included several years of imprisonment a portion of which was in Rome.  There is some historical evidence that Paul went to Spain between his two imprisonments in Rome.  The last of which resulted in his death.  The point is that Paul made decisions based on what would best serve to advance the Gospel to new places.

 

PAUL’S COMMITMENT TO ASSIT THE SAINTS: Paul was not solely focused on advancing the Gospel, but also was committed to assisting the saints who were in need.  He was collecting an offering for the needs of the saints in Jerusalem.  The Gentiles in Macedonia where not as heavily persecuted as the believing Jews in Jerusalem.  They faced persecution from the Jews and the Romans in such an intense way that many of them lost their jobs and freedom.  Paul considered that the Gentiles who had shared in the spiritual blessings through the Jewish believers, should help support the Jewish believers by sharing their financial blessings.  We are all part of the same body and should share our blessings and burdens with one another.  Paul made decisions based on what would help meet the needs of the body of Christ most effectively.

 

PAUL’S COMMITMENT TO ASK FOR HELP: Paul recognized that he was not alone in the advancement of the Gospel or the assistance of the saints.  He asked for help from the body of Christ so he could fulfill the commitments he had made to the Lord.  He mobilized the churches to collect an offering that could be sent to the churches in need.  He also asked for financial help to be able to advance the Gospel to new places.  He knew that this was necessary for him to be able to accomplish his mission, but he also wanted to make sure that the churches he served were keeping their priorities straight.  He wanted them to participate in the fruit of the eternal.  We need to be willing to ask for help from the body and be of help to the body by motivating them to invest in the mission of God.

 

APPLICATION: Make decision about our priorities in life based on advancing the Gospel to those who remain unreached.  However, we cannot ignore the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ and should work to mobilize the churches to help one another.  As we go about our mission, we should not hesitate to ask for help and financial support as it gives the body of Christ opportunity to participate in eternal fruitfulness. 

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