August 29, 2022 - Romans‬ ‭15:17

“Now then, it is through my union with Jesus Christ, that I enjoy an enthusiasm and confidence in my ministry for God.” Romans 15:17 TPT

Lord, when we look at Paul it is easy to see him as a great man of faith - a hero of Christianity. He blazed the trail to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. We can easily put him up on a pedestal and see him as a “giant” in faith. Which he was, but he was also a regular human. He had struggles that he had to overcome. He faced some of the same temptations that we face. Life might have looked a little different than it does today, but he faced the same enemy, who employed the same tactics back then as he does now. Paul’s past would have given the enemy a lot of ammunition to easily use to shut Paul down.

So, Lord, how did Paul overcome all of that to do so many radical things for you? I think this verse sums it up. He walked in unity with you. When we hear the word “union” used in a sentence like this it is often referring to a wedding. Paul walked in an intimate relationship with you. It was through that relationship that he found his enthusiasm to press through all he faced and serve you in obedience. It was through that relationship that you filled him with confidence. He could have easily been held in bondage by the weight of his past, but he allowed you to work in him. He rose to the calling you placed on his life. He followed the path you placed before him, even though taking the Gospel to the Gentiles was not very popular with the Jews. We thank you that he walked in obedience to you. We want to walk in the kind of union that Paul walked in with you. Draw us closer. Let us pay the price that it will cost us to walk in that kind of union. Fill us with your enthusiasm and confidence in our ministry for you like you did for Paul. Let our lives make an impact like his did for your kingdom.

In Jesus name, amen.