Paul's Debt

Romans 1:14 – 16 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

In this verse when Paul uses the word debtor he's not referring to money that he owes he's referring to the obligation he has to the Greeks and the barbarians to all who have never repented. This was made clear even to Ananias following the calling of Paul on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:15 – 16 but the Lord said to him," go, for he is a chosen vessel of mind to bear my name before gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my namesake." From the time Paul came out of the desert till he died, he was faithful to this call, faithful to this obligation to share the gospel with those who had never heard it. He recognized his responsibility.

Not only was Paul faithful in his responsibility of fulfilling his obligation. But Paul was also faithful that he was ready to go. As we look to the previous verses we see that Paul had desired for some time to go administer the word of God to the Romans. But in God's will he'd been hindered from doing so. Although God had not allowed him to go, he continued to seek the opportunity and pray for the right time. He also continued to be ready to preach to these people at the first opportunity he that God provided.

The reason that Paul remained ready was because he recognized with the gospel was and is. It is the power of God to salvation to all who believe. Paul recognize that he had to preach the gospel and that individuals had to hear the gospel before they could ever trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. Paul clarifies this gospel in I Corinthians 15.

 I Corinthians 15:1 – Four Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also he received in which you stand, but which also your saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

Paul's readiness Paul's responsibility and Paul's reason all centered on the fact that each and every individual person must put their faith in the death burial and resurrection of Christ, believing that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for their sin. And that his resurrection proves him to be Lord and gives us hope for the future resurrection for all believers.

May we understand the power of the gospel and be ready to share it with those we love.

The video version of this is available at www.youtube.com/user/churchoflittleton  FW #64