Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

Final Call

As Paul closes out the book of Romans, he exhorts the Gentiles to go out and share the good news. Much easier said than done; this was a big change from the historical, religious chain of command.

How many of us are NOT big fans of change? We like to settle into our same chair to relax at night or sit in the same pew at church every Sunday. We like to sing familiar songs in church and visit with the same people after a worship service. We’re comfortable maintaining the same relationships we have. But, sometimes, God calls us out of our comfort zones and challenges us to reach the unreached and share our faith in a BOLD way.

This was Paul’s call to the Gentiles as he welcomed them into the family of believers. No longer was your lineage or historical faith THE WAY. Jesus changed everything in the “religious” world. He became the sacrifice for all who would believe and follow him, Jews and Gentiles alike. The church was now open to all who would listen and believe. Many of us would be considered Gentiles today as our heritage probably doesn’t include Jewish blood, and we are SO grateful that we are all welcomed into the family of believers.

Now we are called “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” We don’t have to do this alone; we have the triune God helping us in these uncomfortable situations. Wearing your faith on your sleeve requires a boldness that can only be found in the full assurance of God’s promises and His help through the Holy Spirit. As we go out and speak the truth, these are our words inspired by God’s Spirit living within us. What an incredible promise and assurance to know that God will help us to boldly share our faith with others as Paul called these Gentiles to do some 2000 years ago. Some things never change and that’s where our assurance lies. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but He calls us to go out and boldly proclaim His gospel through the Holy Spirit.

What an incredible opportunity we have been given to be a part of God’s army, proclaiming His grace to those around us, while still finding our nourishment through the fellowship of believers.

-Simon Vander Woude