The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 15:14-21)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 15:22-33)

This week we will conclude our reading of chapter 15, verses 14-21 as we consider Paul’s Biblical Boldness…

This entire section of Scripture was written to defend the way in which the Apostle Paul “boldly” spoke to the Roman “believers.” As we learned, Paul had never personally visited that “church.” In fact, Paul did not even found that “church.” He never personally pastored that “church,” he did not personally know these “brethren” nor did he ever have the opportunity to “fellowship” with them. And yet, throughout this tremendous epistle to the Romans, Paul had “spoken” to them with “great boldness of speech” and he had “confronted” them on many very crucial issues!

We find the “reason” for Paul’s “confident boldness” in these verses 14 to 21 and in the remaining passages for our next study we will find Paul’s “plans” for the “future” in verses 22 to 33. Therefore, this great “confidence” and “boldness” is all very personal to Paul as he “ministers” to the “Romans” with a “loving” and “shepherding” heart.

 

Some folks in the “Roman” assembly might have been asking: "Where does this guy get this authority? How is it that he is so exercised in his spirit to speak to us in this manner? From where does he come with such boldness and who does he think he is?" And so Paul defends his right to that “boldness” in this powerful section of Scripture. However, he wants them to “know” not only his “doctrine” but also his “heart” so that they will not misjudge his “confidence” and “boldness” as if it was from an unloving spirit…

 

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

 

To begin with, Paul defends his “confident boldness” in the Lord:

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another – Romans 15:14

He begins by saying, "Now I myself…" In other words, Paul is saying: “In spite of all that I have “written” in calling for your “obedience,” “holiness,” “righteousness,” “spiritual gifts,” “humility,” “submission,” “love” for the “weaker brother” and “stronger brother” and to “care” for “each other,” it is my personal and “confident” opinion that you are a caring, virtuous people and I do not have a low estimate of you! I know your godly “character” and “goodness” is such that you will take what I say and “admonish one another” to the “glory of God” in your own lives!

 

PERSONAL THOUGHT: It is my firm conviction that Paul’s “confident’ ministry approach “concerning” the “brethren” is a Biblical justification for the “boldness” of any “believer” who “speaks” the “truth” in “love” on “behalf” of “another” by the Word of God!

 

Although these “brethren” were not perfect, they were morally excellent and were committed to an “obedient” Christian life – A true testimony for Jesus Christ!

 

So, if the church in “Rome” was indeed a solid, commendable church, why did the Apostle Paul even have to “write” this epistle to them in the first place? Good question! Let’s see what Paul has to say:

Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit – Romans 15:15-16

Paul essentially says “In spite of the fact that you're such a good group, I’ve “written more boldly to you on some points” because of the “grace given to me by God” – I’m under a mandate by God! Paul had “written” not to tell the Romans something they didn't know but to “remind” them of things they already did know! They were not an ill-equipped and “weak church” – they were a well-equipped and “strong church.” Paul was “reminding” them that he was personally “called” by God to be a “minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles” – one who renders priestly service – and his “offering of the Gentiles” was indeed “acceptable” – “well pleasing“ – and “sanctified by the Holy Spirit” – Praise the Lord!

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: In the early church at “Rome” these “Christians” didn't have a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a therapist on staff. In fact, none of these “brethren” had any clinical experience! But because they were “filled” with true “goodness” and the “knowledge” of God's “Truth,” they were very highly qualified to “counsel” and “admonish one another” in the Lord – Even without Paul’s help!  

 

Problems of a “spiritual” nature are “sanctified’ in the sufficiency of Scripture and in the corporate “love” and “commitment” of a “community” made up of “redeemed” people! “Christians” whose lives are “right” with the “Lord” and who “know” and “obey” the “truth of God” are quite competent to “admonish” other “believers” through a “holy” life of “ministering” in “Jesus Christ” – And to help others to do the same!

 

The Apostle Peter also eloquently echoed the “acceptable” truth of this “point” made here by the Apostle Paul:

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 2:5

Next we see that Paul has something to “glory” about! Both as a “priest” offering lost “souls” to God and as a “preacher” in “speaking” with great effect the saving “gospel of Christ”:

Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ – Romans 15:17-19

Paul claimed nothing but what “Jesus Christ” had done “through” him and did not take credit for something that was not done by “God” through him – True humility!

 

In other words, “I will only take credit and give all the credit to God for what Jesus Christ has done through me.” Attendant to the “ministry” of Paul were also “mighty signs and wonders” by the “power of the Holy Spirit.” That is, when Paul “fully preached the gospel of Christ” there were demonstrations of a supernatural nature from “Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum” to show that the “power of God” was indeed behind his “ministry” and to validate Paul as a true “messenger” from God – A thorough study of the book of Acts will outline this amazing first-century church history in great detail!

 

All this proof in and of itself would be sufficient to identify the “nature” of Paul’s ministry “accomplished” through the “Spirit of God” – But Paul has one more thought…

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand” – Romans 15:20-21

Paul’s “call” was to the unreached people of the “Gentile” nations – “not where Christ was named.” And this is going to be a great help to Paul because he wanted to go to “Spain” via the “church” in “Rome” to acquire their “support” in “assisting” with his “visit” to them. He wants the “Romans” to catch the vision of his heart! Some “Christians” are “called” to “lay” the “foundation” and some “Christians” are “called” to “build” on that “foundation.” The role of the evangelist – apostle (sent one) – is to “lay” the “foundation.” The role of the pastor-teacher is to “build” on that “foundation” which has been established – The true church needs both!

 

And to support this point, Paul again finds justification in an Old Testament prophecy:

So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider – Isaiah 52:15

Isaiah is saying that there's coming a time when Messiah will bring the “nations” to Himself and they shall “see” His glory. And “they” who have “not heard” about Him will “hear” and “shall consider” Him and will finally “understand” – Amen!

 

In closing:

 

This is a life of “boldness” for the Lord Jesus Christ! The word "boldness" means “to not hesitate in the face of danger.” It conveys the idea of courage and daring. Certainly this is a word to describe the apostle Paul! He was indeed a courageous and daring man. He had an unusual “boldness” about him. He did not back down, but “spoke out” quite “boldly” and with great “authority” in Jesus Christ…

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles – Acts 13:16

The testimony of the “Holy Spirit” is that Paul and the other “Apostles” spoke with great “courage,” “boldness” and “authority” for the “Lord” Jesus Christ – May this be true of us as well!

Please continue reading verses 14-21 of the fifteenth chapter of Romans.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><