Hi, and welcome back. We are going to continue on with our study of Romans.
So far we have studied verses 1 through 7 which is Paul’s opening greeting to the Romans. Paul continues on with some personal words for the Christians in Rome.
Romans 1:8-10 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
So Paul starts out with, “first I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,” Paul is showing us how we should pray.
We pray through Jesus Christ because he is our mediator. Many of us when we pray end our prayers with, in Jesus name. Jesus tells us in John 14:13 and 14
John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
This does not mean that whatever you want you’re gonna get it.
What it means is that whatever you ask in his name, that is in accordance with his will, those things that will glorify God and contribute to your spiritual growth are the things that you should be asking in his name.
Our motives must be pure and not self-centered. When we pray to God it should always be for His glory and not to satisfy our own flesh.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Continuing on in verse 8 we read, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
We need to think about our faith here in America.
Is our faith proclaimed around the world? Is that what America is known for? The answer is a resounding no. When our country was founded that sentiment would have had some validity. But now the Christian faith as a whole has become fragmented and watered down. Americans use the label Christian in ways it was never intended. Some individuals believe that as long as they believe in a higher power they are a Christian, end of discussion.
We have become a prideful Nation. We call ourselves a superpower, and we have lost sight of our higher power.
It is only when this country is brought to its knees in humility that this nation can be healed.
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
I long for the day when our faith as a country is proclaimed around the world.
What we need is a revival like no other. Things in this country may have to get worse before they can get better. It’s only when we as a country realize we need a Savior, and it’s not the government. Please pray for our country and our leaders that we may once again be one nation under God.
Paul starts verse 9 with For God is my witness,
Paul wants to make it abundantly clear to the Roman Christians that he is telling them the truth. He doesn’t say for God is my witness lightly. It is heartfelt and respectful. Many of us use God as a way to cover our lies. Many swear an oath in the name of God, without a second thought. They take the name of God lightly and without respect.
Leviticus 19:12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
To swear by His name falsely, is to use His name to cover up a lie. In so doing you have spewed out profanity and have shown total disrespect to your Creator.
Continuing on in verse 9 we read
whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son,
Paul lets the Romans know that his whole life is devoted to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t say that he is serving in and of himself but rather that he is serving with his spirit and not the flesh.
We need to serve like Paul. We need to serve in order to spread the gospel. We need to serve in the proper spirit, not the spirit of self fulfillment but rather the spirit of humility, love and grace.
John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
And finally we read in verses 9 and 10, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
Paul says that he prays for the Romans without ceasing.
It doesn’t mean he prays for them every second of every day but rather he prays for them regularly and continually.
There are individuals that I pray for daily, and as it comes to my remembrance during the day. To pray in this manner shows the sincerity of that prayer. It’s not just a whim or something that we take lightly. It is a heartfelt petition that we raise up to our Lord.
When Paul talks about praying without ceasing, it means that prayer should be a priority in our lives, not just something we do when times are tough, or when we feel emotionally compelled to pray.
As we read on in verse 10 asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
Paul realizes that he can do nothing if it is not the Father’s will. He strongly desires to see the Romans, but he will not go unless the Father sends him.
How many times have we just done something or went somewhere without first coming to the Lord in prayer about it? We just go about our business and not the Father’s. We need to bring everything to the Lord in prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we are anxious and chomping at the bit to do whatever it is and don’t consider God in the equation we have fallen short of the glory of God. We need to give it all to God and thank him for all that he’s done.
We’re going to stop here for now. Thank you for listening and if you have anything you would like to add, please feel free to go to our comments page at perspectivefortoday.com/comments