In Romans 1:6-17, Paul gives us a glimpse into the driving force behind his relentless ministry: the grace of God revealed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is not merely interested in theological concepts.
He is gripped by God’s deep and personal calling, a calling that fuels his desire to preach, encourage, and build up the body of Christ. These scriptures pulsate with urgency, gratitude, and an unshakable confidence in the power of the Gospel.
From his gratitude for the Romans’ well-known faith to his longing to be with them for mutual encouragement to his unwavering belief in the Gospel’s power to save, Paul models a ministry and life shaped not by guilt or duty alone, but by the transforming grace of God. Grace doesn’t paralyze him. It propels him.
He declares that he is “not ashamed of the Gospel,” because it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (v.16). This is the core of Paul’s motivation: the Gospel is not a weak suggestion, it is a divine power that changes hearts, reshapes lives, and reveals the righteousness of God from faith to faith.
Fuel Your Life with the Gospel.
Paul’s motivation was not rooted in self-promotion, guilt, or external pressure. He wasn’t driven by a need for recognition, the weight of religious obligation, or the fear of falling short. Instead, his heart burned with the Gospel’s power, beauty, and wonder. The grace of God had so transformed him that serving Christ became his joy, not just his duty, his privilege, not just his responsibility.
Let the same grace that saved you be the grace that sustains you. Don’t be driven by the fear of disappointing others or the burden of religious performance. Let your desire to live for Christ and serve others spring from the overwhelming realization of what He has done for you. Grace, not guilt, must be the fuel of your faithfulness.
Embrace Mutual Ministry.
Paul didn’t merely long to preach to the believers in Rome; he longed to be encouraged by them in return. His desire wasn’t rooted in spiritual superiority, but in humble fellowship. Though he was an apostle, he knew he also needed encouragement, faith, and love from other believers. Gospel-centered community is never one-sided; it thrives on mutual edification, shared faith, and reciprocal grace.
Don’t walk the Christian life alone. God never intended for His people to journey in isolation. We are called into a body, a family, a fellowship of believers, where every member contributes and receives. Invest in relationships where you can build others up and vice versa. Lean in. Share your faith. Open your heart. Let mutual encouragement be the rhythm of your walk in Christ.
Stand Unashamed and Speak Boldly.
In a world where the Gospel is often dismissed, distorted, or mocked, Paul’s example is a bold challenge to every believer. He did not flinch when opposed or shrink back in embarrassment. He wasn’t swayed by cultural scorn or intellectual pride. Paul spoke confidently, not because the Gospel was his idea, but because it is God’s power to save. He understood that the message of Christ crucified and risen is the divine means by which sinners are redeemed and live a transformed life.
We, too, must not be ashamed. The Gospel is not a human invention to be timidly defended. It is the eternal truth to be boldly proclaimed. Let us reject a spirit of fear and embrace the call to speak with clarity, courage, and conviction, knowing that our confidence lies not in ourselves, but in the One who called us.
Daily Meditation
Monday – 2 Timothy 1:7-8
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or me, His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God….
Tuesday – Galatians 1:15-16
But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood….
Wednesday – Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God for all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in every prayer for you all, and for your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Thursday – 1 Corinthians 9:16-17
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
Friday – Ephesians 3:7-9
“…I (Paul) was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things….”
Saturday – Acts 20:24
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Sunday – Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners….
All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB1995).
By Pastor Clarence Goh
