Likewise, throughout the Apostle Paul’s ministry, he risked his life to take the gospel to the lost around him. (2 Cor 11:23-28, Acts 14:19, 2 Cor 4:10-12). This risking of “life and limb” is a wonderful living display of the love that Paul held for the lost. (1 Thess 2:13-16, Rom 10:1, Rom 9:1-3) Being willing to die for those we love is the ultimate display of love. (John 15:13)
Even though to be willing to die for another is the supreme display of love, in Rom 1:9-15, we find several other demonstrations of love being discussed. Let’s take our time and study love on display based on Roms 1:9-15 ...
THE SCRIPTURES:
Rom 1:9-15 (KJV)
9) 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; 10) Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11) For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12) That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13) Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14) I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
THE STUDY:
In these few verses, Paul shows us several indications of his true Biblical love for those in Rome.
1. “without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;” – praying for others is a sign of our love for them. Keep in mind, if we really love someone, we will ask the Lord to intervene on their behalf keeping them physically safe and making them spiritually secure and prosperous. (Matt 5:44, Rom 10:1, 2 Cor 5:20, Phil 1:4-6 etc etc)
2. “I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” – being willing to give of our time and effort for others is a sign of love (Eph 5:2, 2 Cor 5:15, Matt 20:28)
3. “For I long to see you” - wanting to be physically present with someone… missing them when we aren’t with them. (Phil 4:1, Phil 1:8, Gen 31:30, 1 Thess 2:17-18, 1 John 3:14)
4. “that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;” - giving of ourselves for others to promote their spiritual growth and strength (1 Cor 4:14-16, 2 Pet 3:1-2, Roms 1:7)
5. “that I may be comforted together with you”– wanting to give comfort after loss to others that we love (Gen 24:67, Gen 37:31-35, Job 42:10-11, Phil 2:1-2, Col 2:1-2)
6. “by the mutual faith both of you and me.” – desiring to share our spiritual faith in the Lord which then allows fellowship among the brethren. (2 Cor 13:14, Eph 2:18-22, 1 John 3:23-24)
7. “that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.” – desiring to bear spiritual fruit (being a good witness and testimony) to others is a sign of biblical love. (1 Cor 13:4-8, Eph 5:2)
8. “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” – seeing ourselves as indebted to the Lord and, therefore, to others, needing to do them right and help them. (Phil 2:25-30, Roms 12:1, 1 Tim 5:4, Eph 5:25, 1 Tim 2:1-3, 2 Cor 5:13-14)
9. “I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” – Wanting to share the gospel with others. (Matt 5:43-48, Phil 1:7-8, Phil 1:16-17, Eph 4:1-15)
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who have trusted in Christ.
To summarize our study…. A true Biblical love is shown by:
- Desiring to pray for those we love
- Desiring to sacrifice ourselves for those we love
- Desiring to accompany those we love
- Desiring the spiritual growth of those we love
- Desiring to comfort those we love during times of loss
- Desiring fellowship of the truths of God with those we love
- Desiring to bear spiritual fruit in the sight of those we love
- Desiring to help those we love during times of trial and need
- Desiring to share the gospel message with those we love
Are we exhibiting a Scriptural love to those who are around us? This should be our daily desire. If we find our love weak toward other Christians, it could be that we are forgetting that we are members of the same spiritual family. We have the same Father, the same salvation, and the same eternal home. Spiritually we are one with Christ.
Remember our love for others is a very important proof that our salvation is genuine (1 John 2:9-11) If we cannot find love in our hearts for other Christians, it is a clear indication that we have never been saved nor adopted into Christ's spiritual family.
For those who have never trusted in Christ.
A Biblical love is a God-given grace. Withour Christ we cannot show love in our lives. For us to receive the many graces of God, we must first come to a saving knowledge of Him. Have you ever seen your need of salvation? If so, have you turned from your sin and come to Jesus Christ? Have you ever trusted in Him as your Savior and then submitted to Him as your Lord?
If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area. They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.
Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.
Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”. On this page you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.
Please visit the “Settled In Heaven Ministries” homepage –
http://www.settledinheaven.org
My Main Blog “Settled In Heaven” (updated twice weekly) – http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com
The following are other places you can find “Settled In Heaven” blog (updated once per month):
www.settledinheavenbibleblog.posterous.com
www.settledinheavenblog.blogspot.com
To see this lesson taught on video please go to my Video Blog at http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Take A Look At My Wife’s Artistic/Scriptural Devotion Blog http://alivewithchristart.blogspot.com
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May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
Reblogged this on Citizen Tom and commented:
ReplyDeleteBecause he upheld high standards, some denigrate the Apostle Paul, choosing to ignore Paul and pointing exclusively to the words of Jesus. What they choose forget is that Paul sought to imitate our Lord Jesus. That is, the Apostle Paul scrupulously copied the standards set by God. As a learned Pharisee, Paul had great familiarity with the Old Testament. As contemporary of Jesus and a persecutor of Christians, he had the opportunity to become intimately familiar with Jesus' teachings, at first rejecting them. Therefore, when he became a Christian, Paul was well prepared to become the New Testament writer who best explained Christian theology. And what is the theme that runs constant throughout Paul's writings? In humble submission to God's commands, we must strive to unselfishly love first God and then each other.
Citizen Tom,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Obviously, our Lord has set the supreme example for us in every aspect of living. Paul was not perfect, however, as you say he was in a very unique position to be able to explain and relate to us Biblical doctrine. One thing people seem to forget... Paul's writtings were just as much the Word of God as were the Words of Christ. After all, through the miracle of divine inspiration, Paul wrote the literal inerrant Word of God.
Lord bless you
Rob
This post is absolutely AWESOME! I hope you don't mind, but I too will be using all or part of it tonight in my post. I have spoken about "love" in my posts at times, but for some reason, it didn't hit home as "deep" as your post did. Thank you for your clarity and God Bless!
ReplyDeletePJ
For me, Pastor Rob, I just visualize Jesus being right beside me all the time and mirroring what He would do in all circumstances! Bless you for this excellent scriptural study, for this is how we learn what Jesus would do!
ReplyDeletePj,
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome to use anything that may be helpful to you. I'm thankful that the Lord used it to be a blessing you. Lord bless you.
Granbee,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord certainly is good to us all. What would we do without His Word to encourage and strengthen us? Lord bless you.
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ReplyDelete[...] There you will find 49017 more Infos: settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/christian-love-for-the-family-of-god/ [...]...
Love is supposed to be the distinguishing mark of the Christian.
ReplyDeleteIf more Christians showed true love to one another and to those around them in their everyday lives, there would be more approval of Christianity. As people saw Christ working IN us, and through us, they would be drawn to HIM.
This world would be an ENTIRELY different place is Christians loved others as they should. The lack of love among Christians, for me as a Pastor, is one of the most troubling characteristics of the world we live in today. Lord bless you, Angela. Thank you for another very important and thought-provoking comment. Lord bless you.
ReplyDelete