As a Christian, you should be a hopeful person—but not with just a little hope. Not just some hope. You should have overflowing hope, abounding hope. Sometimes we lose our hope, but the best way to see that hope restored is by reading the Scriptures. This and many other truths are found in the closing chapters of Romans.
Practical Principles
- We as Christians should be very hopeful. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
- We are to be heralds of this hope to those who need it. Romans 15:16: “That I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”
- We are to be examples of this hope to those who are watching us. Romans 15:18: “Bringing the Gentiles to obey God by my message and by the way I worked among them.”
- Paul took the hope of the gospel everywhere and anywhere. Romans 15:20: I’ve made it my aim to preach the gospel not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.”
- We are to be helpers so others don’t lose hope. “Before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there for, you see, the believers of Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a great to them since the Gentiles received the spiritual fruit of the good news from the believers in Jerusalem. They feel it’s the least they can do in return by helping them financially” (Romans 15:25).
Relevant Reminders
- Paul understood that his calling was to tell people about Jesus, seek to lead them to Christ, and get them on their feet spiritually. By the way, that’s your calling and my calling as well.
- Paul understood he was not just called to preach the gospel. He was also called to live the gospel.
- You say, “I love the gospel. I want the gospel to go out.” Well, do you ever invest in it financially?
Applicable Actions
Jesus is looking for fruit. Is there fruit in your life? When you praise and thank God, that is a form of spiritual fruit. Another former spiritual fruit is bringing people to Christ.
Also, giving our finances is a form of fruit. If Jesus were to examine your life in search of spiritual fruit, would He find it?
