Romans 1:13 (ESV)
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
Paul writes this verse in the beginning of this long letter to the Roman Christians, and then writes these verses at the end of the letter:
Romans 15:22-23 (NASB Strong's Bible Text)
For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you.
Paul has a desire to go to them to impart spiritual wisdom and doctrine. He wants to give them truth that he might have a harvest among them. He is not looking to promote himself. He is looking to sow seeds of truth so that they might produce more fruit in more abundance for Christ. He wants to grow them. That should be the measure of all those who serve the church. The goal is making disciples who produce the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Ministers of the Gospel are not trying to promote themselves. They should be striving for fruit in the lives they serve, teach and minister to on a daily basis. Paul was often prevented from going to them, but he was still engaged with others for the same purpose. The location did not matter as much as the mission for his life. The place was less important than the person of Christ being preached among those he was among. He will end up going to Rome. Not the way he had hoped (he will go as a prisoner), but he will go. And while there he will preach Christ and sow seeds and reap a harvest. That is his mission in life. It should be ours.
No comments:
Post a Comment