By Pastor Greg
We have come nearly to the end of our study on the book of Romans. Paul has reached a point where he has concluded his theological teaching about sin and salvation. And for all practical purposes we could finish right here. But there are a few more points I would like to make before we conclude; points that stand out as we look at the life of Paul, his relationship with God and, most importantly, God’s relationship with Paul.
At the end of Romans 15, we hear Paul talk about his travel plans. As he finishes up his third missionary journey, Paul is in Corinth. It is the fall of 57 AD. During the three months he stayed in Corinth, he wrote this letter to the Roman Christians. And here, at the end of the letter, he talks about his future plans and desires (read Romans 15:23-33).
You know, initially I intended to skip over this section. Discussing Paul’s travel plans just doesn’t preach. At least that what I originally thought. But here is an example of a submitted Christian. You see, Paul will take that offering up to Jerusalem. He will present it to the Jerusalem Church, and they will be grateful for the help. But after about a week in Jerusalem, some Jews from Asia arrive and stir up a mob against Paul. Arrested, he will spend two years in prison, be beaten, and shipwrecked, before he ever makes it to Rome (see Acts 21-28). And the odd part about this, he had been warned. As he was heading to Jerusalem a prophet named Agabus warned Paul that he would be “bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles” (Acts 21:11). But Paul could not be persuaded to change his plans. Realizing this, all his friends simply stated “The Lord’s will be done” (Acts 21:14).
Oh, Paul made it to Rome, but not as he had planned. Things did not turn out as he had expected. Yet in each unexpected circumstance, Paul takes the opportunity to share the Good News. Paul never hesitates to talk about the Lord while in prison, while speaking to rulers and governors and kings, and even while shipwrecked on Malta. When Paul does find himself in Rome he is placed under house arrest (Acts 28:16). But even then he never misses an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Even while in prison, Paul is able to share the Gospel with those around him; even Caesar’s household (see Philippians 4:22).
Rather than grumble and complain that his plans had been interrupted, Paul demonstrates a servant’s heart and submits to the Father’s will. It seems evident that Paul did not view these unexpected changes as a setback, but as an opportunity. He submitted to the Father’s will. And to Paul, these changes were God’s way of directing his life. After all, it is the Master’s prerogative to change where His servant might go or what His servant might do.
For the Christian who has allowed themselves to be transformed by God, and who has become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), there is an attitude of submission evident in their lives. They permit God to be their Lord. They give the Father full reign in their lives, and submit to His will, His timing, and His direction. It is not an easy task, but this is what it means to become a living sacrifice. And we can see this attitude lived out in the life of Paul.
As I think about my own relationship with God, I know at times I am not the best servant. I am not truly submitted to the Lord. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love Him with all my heart. And desire to live a holy life so that He is honored. But this idea of being submitted doesn’t always sit too well with me. And I think many of us probably struggle with this. I think far too often we get frustrated or irritated or aggravated that things did not work out as we had planned. And I am pretty sure those attitudes demonstrate that we are not truly submitted to the Lord. Or how about the many times we make all kinds of plans to do this or that in the name of the Lord, then ask God to bless our efforts. Is that really being a servant? Is that really being submitted? When we make plans and ask for God’s blessing, we actually diminish His glory; treating God as some kind of genie who is waiting in the corner to grant us our every wish. And we do this far too often. Seldom do we spend time in prayer asking the Lord what He would have us do, or ask Him to guide us and direct us according to His will.
Anyway, as I was reading over this section of Romans I began to realize that I need to change some things in my life in order to really be submitted to God. I need to stop looking at those inconvenient times as irritations, and instead see them as opportunities. And I also need to spend more time listening to the Lord’s leading instead of telling Him what I am going to do.
Maybe you need to be reminded of this as well. Maybe we both need to realize that to be submitted to God (when He is truly Lord of our life) His direction and His timing do not become irritations but opportunities. He is Lord, and He just might changes our plans. And maybe all of us should spend more time listening to the Master instead of telling the Lord how and what we are going to do. Maybe that’s why we get frustrated when He changes our plans. Maybe those moments of frustration are God’s way of putting us in our place. We need to remember that He is Lord and we are His servants. We are to be submitted to Him, and serve when and where He leads.
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