3 things stand out to me from this passage:
1. Make Jesus Christ the focus of the gospel. (vs. 1-5)
Jesus is the Gospel. He should be the sole focus of our learning, preaching, and teaching. The Gospel is not necessarily what we believe but what Christ is. It is not defined by our beliefs but rather our beliefs should be defined by it.
2. God’s ways are not our ways. (v. 8-10; Is. 55:8-9)
Here Paul tells us that he asked from God every time he prayed if, somehow, he would be able to go to Rome. His intentions are pure and honest, seeing that he desires to go in order to encourage the church in that town. However, Paul had never been allowed to go to Rome. As a matter of fact, when he did go to Rome he was imprisoned and consequently sentenced to death. God’s will and ways are beyond our comprehension!! He is so more than our minds can understand. Even though Paul could not go to Rome, he continued to serve the Lord in the ways God allowed him to serve. When a door of opportunity closes before us, we should, instead of trying to force the door open, try other doors and go through the ones God opens for us and there serve Him with gladness.
3. My responsibility when going to church. (v. 11-12)
My primary responsability in the body of Christ is to exercise my spiritual gifts. Many times I find myself saying, “I wonder how much I can get out of this service today.” That is the wrong perspective on the church. Paul first wanted to encourage the romans so that consequently, he would be encouraged by them. As I Cor. 12 illustrates, we are part of a body. As an eye in the body of Christ, my primary concern should not be to receive the benefits of smelling or tasting. My primary responsability is to see. If all parts of the body are exercising their roles and gifts, all members will consequently receive the benefits of the other member working. Let’s encourage one another so that we, consequently, may be encouraged.
