Romans 1:14-15

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Obligation. To be bound by duty.

The Greek word used is "ὀφειλέτης, ου, ὁ", transliterated "opheiletés".

The word refers to a debtor, or one who has sinned against another.

It's the same word used in Matthew 18:23-33, the parable of the talents.

What a statement that is. "I am obligated."

Paul, in those 3 words, recognizes himself as a sinner. And yet, because of God's grace, Paul's sin was covered. Forgiven. Salvation had come.

So what was Paul obligated to?

Love.

To share Christ's love.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3)

Paul is a man surrendered. Surrendered to being Christ's hand of love, without discrimination. He desires so greatly to be able to serve the early church in Rome!

We are a people that have been called to a state of full surrender. A people that love as Christ loved. A people that love everyone we see with an unconditional mercy.

Will we?

Romans 1:8-10

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

 As I read v.8, I was struck by the phrase "your faith is being reported all over the world".

The Greek word used, according to my limited resource of the internet, is "καταγγέλλεται", translated to "is being proclaimed". This word is used only 2 other places in the Bible.

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. (Acts 13:38)

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Philippians 1:18)

It fascinates me that in a day where news moved slow, before post offices and waaaaay before social media and email, that their reputation could be proclaimed in such a glorious way all over the world! That is a truely remarkable statement of their faith and testimony!

And Paul loves these Christians. "God is my witness to how much I think of you and pray for you. I ask him that maybe God's will would open for me to come visit you again!"

I think back to my time in high school, when some of my closest friends were from music camp. Living all over the US, we really only got to see each other once a year. Oh, how I would long for July to come around to see my dear friends. When they would struggle, I would pray for them because I cared about them; I would wait for the day when I could give them a hug again!

Now that I'm older and just a bit more mature, I long for people in a deeper way. I long to sit down and here about people's struggles and counsel them. I long to hear their progress and walk through life with them.

I imagine that's what Paul desired as well. These were the people he loved and was called to. And he longed for them.

That's also God's desire for us. To be with those he loved. So much so that he would sacrifice his son.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)