Paul was a good witness for God. He could have let his pride get the best of him, but he didn’t. This devotion looks how Paul boasted in God and accomplished what God asked of him.
Nuggets
- God gives us all of our abilities.
- If Paul had anything to do with the things he had accomplished, it was only because he was obedient in what God asked of him.
- Our strengths are comparable to Paul’s.
It is the end of the quarter, so my Ladies and I would be finishing up our study of Romans — if we were meeting. We haven’t been able to meet electronically, unfortunately.
Our church started meeting in the parking lot last weekend — observing social distancing. Hopefully, we can begin meeting again.
If we are finishing our study, that means Paul is fixing to end his letter to the Romans. In his mind, that probably meant finishing with the encouragement section. At least, he does here.
Let's Put It into Context
“My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15: 14-16 CSB)Bible Verse
Paul made a good pastor. He had a deep affection for his flock — even those he hadn’t met yet. He focused on the goodness within them. He pointed out that they were knowledgeable — as they should be (I Pet. 3: 18).
One reason Paul had the affection was because he took his mission seriously. He was “… a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God …” (Rom. 15: 16 CSB). His mission was to witness — to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
But Paul’s mission was also to build up the body. He did that by encouraging and admonishing them.
Paul knew that every ability he received to perform that mission came from God. That was humbling to him.
Humbling, but he didn’t cower. He boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Is the Reason
“Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God” (Rom. 15: 17 CSB)
When we are really good at what we do, it is easy to let the pride show. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, pride is “undue confidence in and attention to one’s own skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position.” We can start boasting, which according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “a statement expressing excessive pride in oneself.”
Some would say that Paul had reason to boast. Jesus Himself gave Paul his marching orders. Paul became one of the driving forces of growing the early church rather than destroying it. Yes, he wrote many of his letters while he was in jail, but those letters make up the bulk of the New Testament.
Paul, on the other hand, stated that there was only one reason for him to boast: “… in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God” (Rom. 15: 17 CSB). His relationship with God was the most important attribute he could possess.
Faith and abilities — even love — were all given to Paul by God. Paul didn’t have anything on his own. Everything Paul was and accomplished was given to him by God.
God gives us all of our abilities. We really have nothing to boast about, either.
Doing What We Are Told
“For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles” (Rom. 15: 18 CSB)
If Paul had anything to do with the things he had accomplished, it was only because he was obedient in what God asked of him. Obedience means to hear and carry out the instructions that God gives us.
Every disciple is called to be obedient to God’s laws and commandments. By following those standards, our character is changed to imitate Him.
We are also called individually to follow God’s directions for our lives. Mine is to write devotions and out then out on the internet. Mine is also to lead a Sunday morning Bible study class for some wonderful Ladies. Mine is to use my music to praise Him and encourage others.
Yes, we think of Paul as just having one big direction from God — running around the countryside telling others about the gospel. But his was also to write letters encouraging the new converts in their walk. His mission was also to encourage those he could.
Lyth reminded us that Paul didn’t exaggerate. Oh, yes. Our pride wants to puff us up and make it look like we are accomplishing more than we are. Paul didn’t need to exaggerate.
Evidence Presented
“by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum” (Rom. 15: 19 CSB)
God shows His power through signs and wonders. He has given us many signs. The angels told the shepherds that a sign of the Savior would be that they would find Him in a manger. Jesus said His death and resurrection was a sign. He also told us the signs to look for that signify the end of the age.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
We don’t have to look far to see God’s wonders. The human body that He created with all of its systems is amazing. The world itself a miracle. Think of how quickly it came back after humans had to step back.
We talked about not long ago how God is omnipotent. Holman Bible Dictionary defines omnipotence as “the state of being all-powerful which theology ascribes to God.”
God created everything we see — and a lot of things we don’t see. He interconnects things and causes events to produce the outcomes needed to grow our characters. God is eternal and consistent.
God starts us where we are at. In Paul’s case, that was Jerusalem. He takes us where He wants us to go — in Paul’s case, “… all the way around to Illyricum” (Rom. 15: 19 CSB).
Where in the world was Illyricum? Well, according to the Holman Bible Dictionary, it was a district, not a city. Today, the area is Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia) and Albania.
The point Paul was making was God wanted his ministry to encompass the Gentile world — with some overlap into the Jewish world.
God wants our ministry to encompass our world — wherever He takes us. He wants us to be constantly looking out for the opportunities He opens up for us.
Our message should be the same as Paul’s:
- Sinners need to repent and accept God’s gift of salvation.
- Acceptance of salvation means we must strive to make our character more like God’s.
- We need to watch for Jesus’ return.
Paul didn’t do anything by halves. He was totally dedicated to his ministry of proclaiming the gospel. He started soon after his conversion and labored, I’m sure, until the day he died.
Brown gave us a good overview of Paul’s strengths and challenges. Let’s take a look at what helped Paul in his ministry.
- His strong faith
- His love for Christ
- His love for his fellow man
- His natural abilities and education
- The gift of the Holy Spirit
- His companions
- His Roman citizenship
Hmmm. Our strengths are comparable to Paul’s. We may not be citizens of Rome, but we can use our citizenship to spread the gospel to our countrymen.
I would think the gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s choice. However, He will reward us for our obedience with even more gifts.
Yes, natural abilities are just there. But suppose my natural ability is running. If I am going to compete in a competition, I still have to train. I have to increase my endurance. I would want to try to get faster.
In other words, it still takes work.
Faith, love for God and others, education, friends — those we choose to grow.
Making the Connections
Why are people called on missions? Why are signs and wonders given? Lyth said that it was “to make the Gentiles obedient to the gospel.”
One of our job duties is to proclaim the gospel. “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation’” (Mk. 16: 15 ESV).
Think of all Paul accomplished. He was just one man, plugging away for 30 years. Oh, yes. Paul had his companions, but he was the driving force behind the ministry.
You would think that if anyone would be able to boast, it would be Paul. But he didn’t.
Paul boasted about God.
There were probably the good days in the ministry where a number of people made a profession of faith. There were those days when Paul was run out of town.
There were probably days that were straight travel. In the rain. In the heat. In the cold.
Paul and his merry men probably had to sleep on the side of the road a time or two. They may have gotten sick and tired of eating whatever their staple was.
Paul still boasted about God.
How Do We Apply This?
Since one of our job duties is to proclaim the gospel, we need to make sure that we are qualified to do that. Lyth gages us three things on which to work:
- “Recognising good where it already exists.
- “Humbly putting those who have believed in mind of common duties and privileges.
- “Seeking the salvation of the unconverted — in the name and for the glory of God.”
God will call us to the ministry He wants us to perform. He will equip us and pave the way.
Father God. We are humbled that You love us enough to design the plan of salvation. We are humbled that You will accept our work to expand Your kingdom. Lord, increase our faith and our love for You and our fellow man. Give us the abilities needed to do Your work and help us to learn the rest. Provide committed and supportive fellow workers so that we can work together for Your cause. Help us to use everything available to spread Your love. May You find us working on Your return. Amen.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
To read Has God Provided Everything We Need?, click the button below.
If you have not admitted that your relationship is not right with God,
have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior,
and have not confessed your sins,
please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
Related Links
Related Links
I have created a worksheet of the questions above. Click on the button below to access it.
Don’t know what your spiritual gifts are?
Take this Spiritual Gifts Inventory
The Disciple’s Job Description
Complete Job Description
Individual Description
Job Duty #1
Be a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12: 1-2)
Job Duty #2
Work Out Our Salvation (Philippians 2: 12)
Job Duty #3
Bring Him Glory (Matthew 5: 16)
Job Duty #4
Proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16: 15)
Job Duty #5
Love People (John 15: 12)
Job Duty #6
Make Disciples (Matthew 28: 19-20)
Job Duty #7
Other Duties as Assigned
(Ecclesiastes 3: 1)
It Was Enough
Vocalist: Elaine Guthals
Keyboard: Chris Vieth
What do you think?
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