Word@Work Romans6 - Romans 1:11-13
Published: Wed, 08/24/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SPIRITUAL AMBITION
Romans 1:11-13 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong -- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. (NIV)
Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome because he wanted them to grow up in Christ. We do not know what 'spiritual gift' he wanted to give them, but he knew it would enable them to be more confident in Jesus. And Paul would also be encouraged by seeing the grace of God operating in a new way in and through the church.
Paul also wanted to see a 'harvest'. The seed of God's Word grows inside people to produce fruit: Christ-like qualities of character in believers and new spiritual life as unbelievers are born again. Paul's ambition was to see the life of Christ grow and spread everywhere, and he wanted to go to Rome to preach the gospel. He fully expected that whenever he spoke of Christ, people would respond and be changed by God's Spirit.
Spiritual ambition should be an important part of a Christian's life - a strong desire for God to be at work in people's lives, and a willingness to work with Him to enable His kingdom to grow. Alas many of our desires are focussed on our own interests, hoping that our own little 'kingdoms' will be built up - they are selfish ambitions. So much giftedness, money and energy go into making ourselves important, when it could be used to help produce a spiritual harvest. Everyone who claims to follow Jesus should regularly assess their ambitions. Are yours selfish or spiritual? The test will be the sort of harvest which comes from your life.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for those people who sacrificed their own ambitions so that I could hear about Jesus and learn to grow up in my faith. I am sorry for giving in to the temptation to focus on my own interests, and forget the call of Jesus to help others develop their trust in Him. Please give me a new desire, a new spiritual ambition to see Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome because he wanted them to grow up in Christ. We do not know what 'spiritual gift' he wanted to give them, but he knew it would enable them to be more confident in Jesus. And Paul would also be encouraged by seeing the grace of God operating in a new way in and through the church.
Paul also wanted to see a 'harvest'. The seed of God's Word grows inside people to produce fruit: Christ-like qualities of character in believers and new spiritual life as unbelievers are born again. Paul's ambition was to see the life of Christ grow and spread everywhere, and he wanted to go to Rome to preach the gospel. He fully expected that whenever he spoke of Christ, people would respond and be changed by God's Spirit.
Spiritual ambition should be an important part of a Christian's life - a strong desire for God to be at work in people's lives, and a willingness to work with Him to enable His kingdom to grow. Alas many of our desires are focussed on our own interests, hoping that our own little 'kingdoms' will be built up - they are selfish ambitions. So much giftedness, money and energy go into making ourselves important, when it could be used to help produce a spiritual harvest. Everyone who claims to follow Jesus should regularly assess their ambitions. Are yours selfish or spiritual? The test will be the sort of harvest which comes from your life.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for those people who sacrificed their own ambitions so that I could hear about Jesus and learn to grow up in my faith. I am sorry for giving in to the temptation to focus on my own interests, and forget the call of Jesus to help others develop their trust in Him. Please give me a new desire, a new spiritual ambition to see Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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