By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher
Text: Romans
15:14-33
Romans 15:18-19
For I will not
venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through
me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by
the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so
that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have
fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ.
(ESV)
Proverbs
16:18, cautions us against pride, mentioning that it precedes destruction
and a haughty spirit going before a fall. In Romans
15:17 Paul mentions having pride in his work for God, leading us to wonder
if the Apostle Paul is setting himself up for destruction and a fall. To answer
that question, we must distinguish whether the source of Paul’s pride is self-centered
or Christ-centered.
While Paul’s primary
ministry was to the Gentiles, he also shared the Gospel message with fellow
Jews wherever he went (Acts
9:20, 13:5, 14:1, 17:1). In his role of a minister to the Gentiles, Paul
tells the believers in Rome how he is satisfied with them because they are full
of goodness, knowledge, and able to instruct one another (Romans
15:14). However, in this letter to the Romans, Paul has written boldly on
certain points as a reminder because of the grace given him as minister to the
Gentiles (Romans
15:15-16). Paul’s mention of pride regarding his work for God is in the
context of one humbly acknowledging he does not seek to speak of anything
except what Christ has done through him to bring the Gentiles to obedience (Romans
15:17-21).
As part of his continuing
ministry to the Gentiles, Paul plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain (Romans
15:22-24). However, he must stop in Jerusalem on the way to deliver an
offering given to him in Macedonia and Achaia as gratitude for their sharing the
spiritual blessings of Christ with them (Romans
15:25-27). After delivering the offering, Paul intends to come to Rome on
his way to Spain knowing he is coming in the fullness of the blessing of Christ
(Romans
15:28-29). Paul then asks for prayer from the believers in Rome for deliverance
from unbelievers in Judea (Romans
15:30-33).
While the Bible reminds
us that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs
16:18), the proverb occurs in the context of one seeking wisdom, avoiding
evil, with lowliness of spirit, and heeding instruction (Proverbs
16:16-20). The pride cautioned against in Proverbs
16:18 is pride from a haughty spirit seeking self-aggrandizement and not
pride in the work of Christ through their ministry coming from a humble spirit.
Paul mentions his intention to visit Spain after Rome, indicating he did not
intend to pridefully rest on his accomplishments but that he believed the Lord
had more for him to do. Paul was not self-seeking in his ministry but instead
sought that the Holy Spirit’s power would have demonstration through his
ministry (1
Corinthians 2:1-5).
One of the greatest
temptations in a ministry growing in numbers is to begin believing the growth
in ministry is due to the minister’s abilities. This is why a minister must
maintain a spirit of humility like that of the Apostle Paul to avoid
destructive pride (1
Corinthians 2:1-5; Proverbs 16:18). One having growth in their ministry
must remember that it is the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit that brings
growth to his or her ministry (1
Corinthians 2:4-5; Romans 15:18-19). An increasingly corrupt world does not
need narcissistic self-seeking ministers touting their own abilities and
accomplishments but needs humble ministers pointing people to a deeper personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus, the Son of God did
not come in pride but instead came to suffer and die for the sins of humanity,
including those nailing him to the cross. Like the Apostle Paul, Jesus
demonstrates the humble spirit of a servant leader, more interested in
providing a path to a personal relationship with God through his death on the
cross than personal aggrandizement. If you are reading this and do not have a
personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, I encourage you to do so
now by praying with me,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans
3:23)
and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans
6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse
me as you promise in your Word (1
John 1:9). I believe
you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now
declare you Lord of my life.
May God challenge and
bless everyone reading this post.
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