Only the Gospel

I have been reading and studying recently in the book of Romans. The book is very rich but there are a few things I would like for you to think about from Romans 1.

Paul longed to visit Rome. v.11
Paul thanked God for the faithfulness of the Roman believers. v.8
Paul prayed regularly for the faithful. v.10
Paul prayed that he would be able to come to them. v.11
Paul told them that he had planned to come. v.13
Paul wanted to share spiritual gifts with the church. v.11
Paul wanted to be encouraged by the believers in Rome. v.12

Paul goes on to say in verse 13 that he had been prevented in coming to them. There has been some speculation about this verse. I believe the rest of verse 13 makes it clear why Paul was prevented from visiting up until this point. As passionate as Paul was (indicated in the statements above) about coming to the believers in Rome, he was absolutely positively more consumed with preaching the Gospel to those who had not yet heard.

We could rightfully say that he was obsessed. To be obsessed is to “have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.” Paul knew that the “Gospel was the power of God for salvation.” Depending on the translation, verse 14 states he was “obligated” or a “debtor” to share the Gospel. The Greek word (opheiletes) literally means someone who is obligated to do something.

Why do we not have the same OBSESSION?

Consider the fact that in v.17 Paul tells us that the Gospel brings salvation “for in it the righteousness of God is revealed.” The “righteousness of God” is the major thrust of Romans. Some form of this word is found over 60 times in this letter. In the language of the O.T, the salvation of God and the righteousness of God are virtually synonymous (Ps. 98:1, 2; Isa. 46:13; Isa. 51:5-8; 56:1; 62:1).

• There is no salvation apart from becoming right with God.
• There is no right standing with God apart from the Gospel.

No video, no book, no emerging philosophy, no cool church, no pep talk, no motivational sermon, no coffee shop, no extravagant structure, no yoga class, no candle burning, and no green theology will bring anyone to a right place with God - ONLY THE GOSPEL.

hungering and thirsting . . .

--craig