. . . 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? Probably neither is true. But it is true that our attitude will change how we deal with our circumstances and ultimately determine the impact those circumstances have on you. And often, God will use those circumstances to do a work in your life.
Marks of Christian character or maturity come from a life that has been seasoned and tested through the tough times. The unfortunate reality is that 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 unpleasantness, for the difficulty life presents, we have taken a great step in the right direction.
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 prevents us from receiving God’s best. 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 needed 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. Paul was humble.
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, rejecting the others. 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 willing to hear Christ speak to us through whomever He chooses. The youngest believer in Christ can be an instrument through whom Christ speaks. The newest believer might be the one whom Jesus speaks through. We all can learn from one another. In fact, we must learn from one another. This is how we grow in our faith. And it is through a humble spirit 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 humble spirit, he was far from passive. In fact, Paul had many goals 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 that God had a plan for him and that even though he had his own desires, he should make plans in accord Gods plan, and sometimes this meant that he would need to be flexible in his own plans. 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, but he always let God have the last word.
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. Our ideas and plans should never contradict what God’s word says to us. Paul prayed and knew that God desired to use him to reap a harvest of people for the Kingdom. This was consistent with His word. He understood clearly this 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 daily life as well as our long term goals. And there may be many purposes and adjustments along the way. 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
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 zealot without spiritual reality. He had possessed something of the knowledge of God but without the life changing 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 presence of the Holy Spirit within 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 just and experience, it I more than an intellectual choice on our part, it is not to achieve forgiveness, 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 reveals 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 he was joining in with Gods works. We must recognize that what we are all involved in is not our work, it is not our ministry, we are joining in on what God is doing.
Are you eager? All of us are looking forward to something. We are eager to go to on vacation, we might want to visit family somewhere. 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? Service usually inconveniences us in some way, there is always some cost involved.
Our eagerness is a reflection of what we love. Scripture tells us that where our treasure is, there will our heart be. When we are in love with God, we will be eager for God's work to be accomplished and His will to be done. Seeing God’s work accomplished erases the pain of inconvenience, and financial sacrifice. 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 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. Paul never entered into a difficult situation, of which there were many, in which he did not go with unshakable confidence that he would persevere. It was not about winning, achieving comfort or status, or even survival; it was that God’s purpose would be accomplished.
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. Never forget, the presence of Holy God resides within us, when we are on a heavenly mission we will prevail. 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 road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear, my goal is heaven. 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!
(Built largely on a sermon by my friend, Dr. D. Hoke)
