April 20
ROMANS 1
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 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. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”– Romans 1:11-17
ROMANS 1 BE EAGER TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When we are chosen to be part of God’s people
He will give us the ability to preach his gospel
We shouldn’t be ashamed to declare the Good News
It has the power to save everyone who believes in Jesus.
In this account, we witness Paul’s eagerness to come to Rome to impart spiritual gifts to both the believers there and also to bring the Good News to those who are Gentiles. He tells them how much he wanted to come but circumstances prevented him from doing so. We are given a glimpse of the faithful character of Paul here as he is very dedicated to do the work that God has given him to bring the news to both believers and unbelievers alike.
Paul declared that he is not ashamed of the gospel. How many of us believers can be bold like him to preach the gospel to those who have not heard of it? Many of us would just want to stay comfortable and just be with like-minded Christians. Like Paul, all believers are called to preach the gospel, not just ministers and preachers. I think there is a fear in many of us that we will be rejected. Especially in our world today where the world system
generates free will and allows for different preferences and choices where they get to choose which one suits their lifestyles and their comforts.
REFLECTION
• Why do you think only some believers take declaring the gospel seriously?
