Being a recipient of passionately committed pastors and then being a called and devoted ministry leader myself in my growing up years into adulthood; I understand and appreciate the words of Pastor Paul to all his friends in his journey to tell the redemption story of Jesus.  Our passion for what God has called us to be, along with our extreme enthusiasm for the “highly focused assignment” He has given us to accomplish, may sound blunt and harsh to those who have yet to follow God by believing in Jesus who died for our sins.  We are like the Derby horses at the beginning of the race, prancing their hooves, chopping at the bit, ready to run the race to the finish but for us we see  Christ in view at the finish!

Romans 16, The Message

^14-16 Personally, I’ve been completely satisfied with who you are and what you are doing. You seem to me to be well-motivated and well-instructed, quite capable of guiding and advising one another. So, my dear friends, don’t take my rather bold and blunt language as criticism. It’s not criticism. I’m simply underlining how very much I need your help in carrying out this highly focused assignment God gave me, this priestly and gospel work of serving the spiritual needs of the non-Jewish outsiders so they can be presented as an acceptable offering to God, made whole and holy by God’s Holy Spirit.

^17-21 Looking back over what has been accomplished and what I have observed, I must say I am most pleased—in the context of Jesus, I’d even say proud, but only in that context. I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders. In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece. This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped. My text has been,

Those who were never told of him—
    they’ll see him!
Those who’ve never heard of him—
    they’ll get the message!

* * *

^22-24 And that’s why it has taken me so long to finally get around to coming to you. But now that there is no more pioneering work to be done in these parts, and since I have looked forward to seeing you for many years, I’m planning my visit. I’m headed for Spain, and expect to stop off on the way to enjoy a good visit with you, and eventually have you send me off with God’s blessing.

^25-29 First, though, I’m going to Jerusalem to deliver a relief offering to the followers of Jesus there. The Greeks—all the way from the Macedonians in the north to the Achaians in the south—decided they wanted to take up a collection for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were happy to do this, but it was also their duty. Seeing that they got in on all the spiritual gifts that flowed out of the Jerusalem community so generously, it is only right that they do what they can to relieve their poverty. As soon as I have done this—personally handed over this “fruit basket”—I’m off to Spain, with a stopover with you in Rome. My hope is that my visit with you is going to be one of Christ’s more extravagant blessings.

^30-33 I have one request, dear friends: Pray for me. Pray strenuously with and for me—to God the Father, through the power of our Master Jesus, through the love of the Spirit—that I will be delivered from the lions’ den of unbelievers in Judea. Pray also that my relief offering to the Jerusalem believers will be accepted in the spirit in which it is given. Then, God willing, I’ll be on my way to you with a light and eager heart, looking forward to being refreshed by your company. God’s peace be with all of you. Oh, yes!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

People know when your love is honest and true.  We cannot fake God’s love.  We have it or we don’t.  Unbelievers are seeking authentic love, real life, and acceptance as well as mercy and grace.  They already feel bad for where they are and know they need something better, richer, more real.  Shouting judgement, speaking sarcastically with criticism, or beating people over the head with our Bibles (figuratively) is not the way to tell the Truth of God’s amazing grace.

God has filled us to overflow with His love. Jesus forgave and set us free from sins.  We must tell everyone we meet who God is and what He will do to transform their lives, too!  There is no closer relationship than the love of God shared between believers in Christ.  We share the same interests and we share the same language—the Holy Spirit language of God.  Everything changes about us because of Jesus.  We must tell others!

Many times, Pastor Paul tells believers to “speak the Truth in love.” Paul received this information from Truth—Jesus His Savior, with whom he met on the road to Damascus with deeds of darkness on his mind.  But Jesus came to him and transformed his thinking and being!  Jesus’ love and compassion poured out over this man who wanted to hurt, maim, and even kill His followers.  (See Acts 9)

But the first thing, Jesus said to him was, “Saul, Saul,” (former name/former life name of Paul), “why do you persecute Me?”  Saul’s first response was “who are you?”  Paul did not know who Jesus was, had no relationship with Him, so he did not recognize him when he called him.  Saul had been blind to God and now blinded physically for a few days until He could finally “see” the real, alive from dead Jesus who saved him.  Jesus then gave Saul/Paul specific directions to follow so that his physical sight could be restored but more importantly his spiritual sight would be made new!  This is amazing love!  This is amazing grace!  Jesus came to Saul/Paul and spoke the Truth; delivered with love, mercy, and grace. 

It is not in the heat of the moment that we win souls for Jesus. It is not by shame, either.  It is when extreme love is expressed with no manipulations.  We are driven by God’s love and desire for all people to not perish but to believe in Jesus and have eternal life!  We have help in the delivery when love guides us and His power is tapped!  God’s Holy Spirit speaks through us as we listen to Him!   We then speak the Truth of Jesus to those in need of a Savior by word and deed—sincerely and honestly. Yes, “speak the Truth in love”—Goals. 

Bonus!  When we speak the truth in love; we will develop relationships among all believers in Jesus—our brothers and sisters—in Christ that will last for eternity!  Paul has many friendships who he trusts with pray for and with him!  He can count on their love, care, and concern because of sharing this love of God between them. 

May we all lead with love, remain in God’s love, and speak the truth in love.  Help us to respond and react in love—always.

Lord,

Thank you for Paul’s examples of relationship building that is formed by your love in him.  May your love lead us in all we think, say, and do today.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, and fill us with your love.

In Jesus Name, Amen