Feb13

"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:14-16

Here we have three "I AMS" from Apostle Paul.
He said, "I am debtor to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians." How did he become indebted? Well, it wasn't from running up a bill for purchases, or any other business transaction with these people. However, he did have a personal transaction with Jesus Christ which put him in debt to every man, because the grace of God has been so bountifully bestowed upon him. Paul was in debt to a lost and dying world!

Paul said that he is a debtor, and now he goes on to say he is "ready to preach the gospel." He is not only ready, but he is eager to preach it! Wouldn't it be great if today there was this much eagerness and enthusiasm in getting the Word of God out?

The third "I AM" of Paul: "I am not ashamed of the gospel." Why did he say this? Because "It is the power of God"! The Greek word translated "power" is dunamis, from which we get our word dynamite. It is dunamis power! In itself the gospel has power ~ innate power! It has power for a very definite thing: "It is the power of God unto salvation." That is the end and the effect of the gospel. "Salvation" is the all-inclusive term of the gospel, and it simply means "deliverance." It embraces everything from justification to glorification! It is both an act and a process: I have been saved, I am being saved, and I shall be saved.

The gospel is "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." It's to everyone! It includes the entire human race, irrespective of racial or religious barriers. And it is personal! It is directed to every individual ~ "whosoever will may come." Paul, in his missionary journeys, took the gospel first to the Jewish synagogue, but in Acts 13:46 we are told, "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." The gospel began in Jerusalem, a Jewish city, then spread to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It is universal in scope, but it is limited to "every one that believeth." The only way of procuring salvation is by personal faith!

I am debtor ~ that is admission! I am ready ~ that is remission! I am not ashamed ~ that is submission! These are the three missions of Paul! What are yours?

May the Good Lord bless you with a wonderful day as you serve Him.

Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy