Romans 1:11: For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
“I long to see you!” This is the pastor’s heart in Paul the great missionary. Some of the saints in Rome were very dear to Paul, such as Priscilla and Aquila, who risked their lives for him; and others who had labored and suffered with Paul. But he also loved the believers that he did not know, and he longed to be able to share some spiritual gift with them. He was looking forward to a time of mutual blessing in the love of Christ. 1
Paul’s spirit was for all practical purposes duplicated in the life of General Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Once when General Booth stood before Queen Victoria and she asked what she might do for him, the rugged old man replied, “Your Majesty, some people’s passion is money, and some people’s passion is fame, but my passion has been men.” 2
Application
- Is your relationship with others based on what you can get from them or what you can give to them?
- Discipleship: Investing in the lives of others to establish them spiritually. Do you have such a heart?
Prayer
Lord, help me to consider others more important than myself.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
2. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
