Romans 1
Faithfulness is a Decision we Make!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, August 11.
Why is it that so many people struggle with the concepts of obligation or duty when it comes to their relationship with Jesus? For example, we often say, don’t give out of duty, but give out of a thankful heart. But can’t a thankful heart lead to a commitment to give faithfully, sacrificially, and systematically. Why separate the concepts?
This is so important in our marriages and with our children. We love them; therefore, we commit to act towards them a certain way—we obligate ourselves to the highest of virtues and values for the sake of our family well-being. To not do so is to mock our proclaimed love!
Paul understood this and expressed his sense of duty to go to Rome, stating in Romans 1:14-15, “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.”
Paul gives us five reasons why he made the decision to obligate himself to get to Rome:
- Thankfulness! Their world-wide testimony of faith moved his heart (8).
- Prayer! His unceasing prayer for them solidified his conviction to go (9-10).
- Impartation! He wanted to empower and equip them in their ministry (11).
- Encouragement! He desired to be mutually encouraged by their faith (12).
- Mission! He knew a great harvest was going to happen in Rome and he wanted to be a part of it (13-15).
Seize the moment and be faithful to the God you love by making decisions that obligate you to act according to what you know is true even when you don’t feel like it!
While it may sound “romantic” to never appeal to duty or obligation in your love relationships, that just isn’t real—with people or God! Faithfulness is a decision we make to act whether we feel like it or not!