For this reason I
also have been
much hindered from
coming to you.
But now no longer
having a place in these parts,
and having a great
desire these many years
to come to you,
whenever I journey to Spain,
I shall come to
you. For I hope to see you
on my journey, and to
be helped
on my way there by
you, if first I
may enjoy your
company for a while.
But now I am going to
Jerusalem
to minister to the
saints.
Romans 15: 22 -- 25
What was
hindering Paul from going to Rome? They
hindrance came because Paul was involved in spreading the gospel to the
Gentiles in the areas of Greece, Galatia, in Macedonia. Now that the churches have been established,
the gospel was being spread by others than himself the work was completed by
him at least he is part. Paul was now
free to do that which he desired to do and that was to go to Rome and visit the
Roman Christians there. Paul mentions
that he was wanting to journey to Spain and to preach the gospel there was his
desire as it was in the Macedonian, Galatian areas. Did Paul ever make it to Spain?
Some writers think that he did go there during that period whereby when
liberated from being a prisoner and that he would labor by planting the gospel
in Spain. There are those who also
write about the fact that St. James had planted the gospel in Spain previously
and Paul was only going there to give assistance to the work that had already
had been established for Paul already spoke about not building upon another
man's foundation. When we read this
portion of Scripture we find that there are at least three points that need to
be mentioned: 1. A contribution taken
in Macedonia for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
2. That the Macedonians
apparently had acquired some wealth and also took care of the poor saints in
Achaia. 3. That the apostle Paul intended to travel to Jerusalem and to take
these gifts from the Macedonian churches to the saints who are poor in
Jerusalem. We find that this was indeed
gone if we read Acts 20: 2 -- 3; 24: 17 -- 19; 1 Corinthians 16: 1 -- 4. Whether or not Paul actually made it to Spain
or not is not my intent to prove that he did or did not. Paul was not interested in anything other
than spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ were ever he went and that he also
went to Jerusalem bringing those gifts, or all means, for the poor so that he
would by doing so serve them, or as the Scripture states minister to them. What we've learned from this is that as
Christians we are to care for one another in aid does in their times of
need. The Macedonian Christians were
pleased to send such gifts that were needed soap badly in Jerusalem for the
poor and so should we be glad to aid our brothers and sisters in need: "For it pleased goes from Macedonia
and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are
in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed,
and they are there to editors. For if
the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also
to minister to them in material things" (Romans 15: 26 -- 27). The Macedonian Christians didn't just not
out of some sort of personal pleasure by doing something that was good, that is
to be only philanthropic rich in of itself is not bad but the motivation for
doing so may not be that which is of God rather for selfish reasons. The Macedonians did this because God loves a
cheerful giver. Everything that goes on
between Christians should be a proof of the common union that they all have in
Jesus Christ. In acts 6: 1 and
following mentions how bad the saints in Jerusalem took special care of the
Greek widow's and that they should not be neglected in this then by the
Macedonians would doing a return the favor as they had received the same from
the Jerusalem Saints. We do not know
what evil things, or bad things may occur, or has happened to our brothers and
sisters in Christ, those things that make them beholden to others. They have received the Gospel of Jesus
Christ as we have done and have converted to him in all folders and yet sin in this
world causes bad things and at times, our brothers and sisters are in need of
our help. This is an unacceptable
service and sacrifice to God and His Son Jesus Christ who is our Savior. The question, for every one of us is,
whether, or not we will participate in carrying for our brothers and sisters as
we have the ability to do so. It may
not be that which is of monetary giving rather it may be simply going in
cleaning a person's house, or mowing their lawn, it may be aiding them in a car
that needs some service. We are to be
involved in the lives of our brothers and sisters and I am not speaking about
becoming a burden upon them by doing that which is not necessary rather that we
become cognizant of their needs and tend to those needs and they are interned
when they see our need to do the same.
This is what it means to be one of God's children or we are a family and
we are to chair for not only our blood family and those we may have adopted
into our family, rather we are also to care for that family which has been as
we are adopted into the body of Christ.
Paul then says that after he has done this service for the Jerusalem
Saints that he would come to them:
"Therefore, when I have performed this enhanced seal to them this fruit, I
shall go by way of you to Spain. But I
know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of
the gospel of Christ" (Romans 15: 28 -- 29). How great it is an advantageous to have the gospel with all its
fullness of its blessings. What
wonderful and happy affect it does produce what it is attended with the power
of the Spirit. By this we have great
reason to give glory to God. All honor
is given to Him and not for us to boast of ourselves or what we have done. We ascribe all honor to Him.
Let everything that has breath
praise the
LORD.
Praise the LORD.
In all you do exalt the LORD
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