"I am a debtor… I am ready to preach the Gospel… I am not ashamed of the gospel for Christ." Romans 1:14-16

A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF PAUL'S MINDSET

If we were to ask for a thumbnail description of Paul's mindset towards ministry, the following text might well be cited.

"I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians,
both to wise and to unwise.
So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you
who are in Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is
the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
Romans 1:14-16

Three powerful statements are made in this text:-

1. I am a debtor

This was how Paul felt as he pondered the meaning and significance of the salvation that he received in Christ. He owed the Lord Jesus his very life! He was now a debtor challenged to reach out to one and all, the Greek and the barbarians, the wise and the unwise. He was committed to preaching the Gospel to all.

2. I am ready

Paul did his part in keeping himself ready at all times to minister for the Lord. Being sensitive to the leading of the Lord, he was trained and honed to minister wherever the Lord opened doors for him. No danger kept Paul away from preaching the gospel. No difficulty deterred him from making valiant attempts to preach the Word of God.

3. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ

Paul was aware that there were some who resisted the gospel he preached.

a) At Antioch of Pisidia, the Jews opposed him (Cf. Acts 13)

b) At Philippi, the Gentiles succeeded in getting Paul jailed (Cf. Acts 16).

But none of these problems caused Paul to feel ashamed of the gospel he preached!

THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION

The Gospel he preached had a power of its own! This was a firm conviction in the heart of Paul. He himself had tasted of the power of the Gospel, for his whole life was gloriously transformed! He had seen the power of God's word overcome mighty demonic forces (Cf. Acts 13, 16). He was so deeply convinced, that nothing caused him to feel ashamed of the gospel of Christ!