Zealous for God
Romans 1:8-12
A MAN ZEALOUS FOR GOD
What makes a man zealous for God? What is the difference between the “on fire” and the “lukewarm?” How come some appear to have been shot out of a canon flying high and fast toward the mark, collecting no dust and untouched by the world below; while others appear to have been shot into a tar pit with so much resistance and blockage they cannot even see the air from whence they’ve come? I believe our rate of progress is directly proportional to the beholding of our Redeemer and heavenly things. In the first 10 verses of this letter we see the primary focus of his attention. He is drawing the sons of God to the Father. Each verse makes reference to God by name.
THE MAN OF GOD IS THANKFUL FOR FAITHFULNESS
What makes a thankful heart? An acknowledgment of the One from whom all blessings flow.
Those who reject God do “not honor Him as God or give thanks” (Romans 1:21). But notice the heart of the worshipper of God (Psa. 6:5; 18:49; 26:7; 30:4, 12; 35:18; 50:14; 69:30; 75:1; 79:13; 92:1; 95:2; 97:12; 100:4; 105:1; 106:1, 47; 107:1, 22; 116:17; 118:1, 29; 119:62; 122:4; 136:1, 2, 3, 26; 140:13; 147:7).
In this case thanksgiving rose to God because of the Church’s FAITH. Their FAITH was being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Remember that it is by faith that we gain divine approval (Hebrews 11:2, 39). This is a great reason for prayer to God and indicates Paul’s spiritual mindedness.
THE MAN OF GOD LIVES BY THE SPIRIT
The spirit of a man is referred to as his “inner-man.” While the body is the “outer-man” the spirit is the “inner-man.” The four main “inner-man” verses are Romans 7:22; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16; and John 7:38 (belly). It is this part of a person that links up with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16).
To “serve in my spirit” is to serve out of love and compulsion not by duty, law, responsibility, tradition, or rote. As Roger Chambers says “It’s the difference between ‘Get to’ and ‘Got to.’” Remember that we worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24; Philippians 3:3). Gareth Reese says that sin causes death in the spirit but conversion causes life (Romans 8:10; John 3:3-6). We then live by the spirit though we are dying in the body.
“We serve in newness of the spirit and not oldness of the letter.” (Romans 7:6)
“13For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14)
THE MAN OF GOD PRAYS UNCEASINGLY
What makes a man a prayer warrior; devoted to and fervent in prayers? His view of God; his faith in the One to whom He is praying.
It is noteworthy to look at the prayers of the Apostles. Our prayers indicate our thinking and our focus. Prayer solely focused on worldly things reveals a worldly mindset. This world and these bodies are going to be destroyed and are but temporary. When we only pray for those who are sick or dying or poor we are not praying like the Apostles or even Jesus. Our prayer time ought not sound “like were sitting in a waiting room of a doctors office” (Dick Chambers, Prayer). “One of the tragic things that I see when I get into 30, 40, 50 churches a year is to hear the prayers in many local churches. The prayer times are embarrassing, they’re like organ recitals for medical school” (Lee Mason, Breaking of Bread). It is not wrong to pray for these things but much more appropriate would be to pray for that part of us that is eternal. Jesus came to save us from our sins, not our sickness. When He healed people it was so that “we might believe and by believing have life (eternal) in His name” (John 20:31). Notice the focus of the Apostles’ prayers (Ephesians 1:15-19; 3:16-19; Colossians 1:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 13:20-21)
THE MAN OF GOD LONGS TO SEE THE BRETHREN
What makes a man desperate to see for the first time his “long lost brethren”? An attitude of indebtedness to God and a desire to serve Him and His people compelled Paul.
• Paul wanted to impart some spiritual gift to them. Did Paul want to go to Rome to give them the gift of tongues or miracles etc? I don’t think so. The word impart here means to share as it is used in Luke 3:11 “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none” and also Romans 12:8 “he who gives, with liberality” and again in Ephesians 4:28 “he will have something to share with the one who has need” and lastly 1 Thessalonians 2:8 “we were well please to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives.”
• Paul wanted them to be established. This refers to them being “steadfast and immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58) and “rooted and grounded” (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:23). Being established is the goal of the Christian and the church as it points to maturity. (Acts 16:5; Colossians 2:7; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 1:12). It is God’s purpose to mature us (2 Thessalonians 2:17; 3:3; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Ephesians 4:11-15). Infancy is not normal, but we are to grow up to a mature man. It is not about being smart but being faithful. Perpetual infancy is chosen, as God has given us everything we need to mature.
• Paul wanted to encourage and be encouraged. This is one of the main purposes of fellowship and the assembly (Hebrews 10:23-25). This is a reciprocal relationship. No one including the Apostle Paul is without need of encouragement or comfort. Many look at the preacher as the giver and the pew sitter as the receiver. This is not Kingdom life. A strong church is the body of believers rightly fitted together supplying every need.
THE MAN OF GOD IS EAGER TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
What makes Jeremiah say “But if I say ‘I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,’ then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” (Jeremiah 20:9) My contention is: it is being laid hold of by God Almighty.
Preaching the gospel is not just evangelistic, it is the topic of Kingdom conversation.