For what thanks can
we render to God for you,
for all the joy with
which we rejoice for your
sake before our God,
night and day praying
exceedingly that we
may see your face and
perfect what is
lacking in your faith.
1Thessalonians 3:9–10
Paul had
great desire to go to Rome and speak with the Christians there and to impart to
them that would increase their faith. This was true of all the Churches Paul
wrote that he had this desire to render to them what God had given to him, and
then by doing so to perfect their faith. This is what this blog is about; to
give aid so that our faith will increase and our joy in the Lord will increase,
and that our lives would be the witness for Jesus Christ as it ought to be.
Paul writing to the Romans wrote: ”First, I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son,
that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request
if, by some means, now at list I may find a way in the will of God to come to
you” (Romans 1:8–10). Oh! How I am reminded by these words of Paul, and I
hope and pray for you, that it is our faith that is spoken about, to our
family, our neighbors, to those with whom we work, and to all we come into
contact, and even those we do not know about. What is this faith? Is it some
sort of miracles being performed? Is it some revelation from God given
especially to you? Is it running around piously? NO! In all cases! No! It is
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is this Gospel? It is that Jesus Christ came
bodily into our world, a perfect Man; not affected by inherited sin, that
original sin that affects all men as the progeny of Adam. Jesus Christ is the
Only Begotten Son of God, not of Adam. Jesus demonstrated His divinity by the
many miracles, and by the words He spoke. Then, by no fault of His own
condemned and put to death on the cross, that which by Roman law and standards
was the punishment for most vile of criminals. Jesus Died, as a man, and lived
by resurrecting Himself as He said He would, “Jesus answered and said to
them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19).
This He did and then seen by some 500 people, “After than He was seen by
over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the
present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by
all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also as by one out of due
time”(1Corinthians 15:6–8). Paul desired that it be the will of God that he
comes to Rome to see them: “making request if, by some means, now at last I
may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Romans 1:10). I mention
this due to the fact, we so often run ahead of the will of God. We are not
patient. We think: “if only I could be used by God.” You are, that is, if you
are doing the will of God, and living according to His commands and used by
God. Start where you are presently for if you are not in doing the will of God
in the present, how then can you be of use in the future. Are you studying,
reading His word, praying; or, spending too much time in other affairs? If you
are not doing it now, then there is not precedent that you will do it in the
future.
Paul states:
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so
that you may be established” that is, that I may be encouraged together with
you by the mutual faith of both you and me” (Romans 1:11–12). Some say that
this is a special gift and attempt to use this Scripture for their outlandish
demonstration as if this is what Paul intended. Did He? The Greek word:
“πνευματικόν” is nominative, neuter, singular, and as Thayer points out: “one
who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God: (Among other definitions;
i.e., relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which
is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ; 1a) that which possesses
the nature of the rational soul; 2) belonging to a spirit, or a being higher
than man but inferior to God; 3) belonging to the Divine Spirit; 3a) of God the
Holy Spirit; 4) pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind,
blowing: Part of Speech: adjective).” The word used in English for this
word is “Spiritual gift,” and can be rendered, “thing” spiritual thing.” This can be misconstrued if one does not
examine the Greek word and how a Greek person would understand this word. What
is this “Spiritual gift?” Paul outlines the gift fo the Spirit in Galatians
5:22. This is the gift we need to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and His
ambassadors, the ones to spread the Gospel into all nations. Is it fruit that
Paul wants to give to the Romans? Yes! “Now I do not want you to be unaware,
brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now),
that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles”
(Romans 1:13). The fruit that Paul speaks of is an increase in the Church
by those who have the faith to respond to the Gospel (not some revelation, or
miracle), the GOSPEL! And by this Gospel, the fruit of the Spirit is imparted
to the children of God, and when the Holy Spirit is allowed to teach, and lead
us then, and then only, will we by faithful.
I pray that
this will be true of you. That nothing in this world will separate you from our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that the Holy Spirit will have His way with
you (and me).
I thank You and praise You,
O God of my
Fathers;
You have given me wisdom
And might,
and have
Now made known to me what
We asked of
You, for
You have made known to us
The king’s
demand.
Daniel 2:23
Pour out what God has poured in
Richard L. Crumb
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