ROMANS 1:15 I AM READY There is an enthusiastic note to the words of the apostle Paul as he thinks of Rome. Rome was the center of the political world at that time. The emperor was there. It was the center of the Gentile world. The carnal activities of an ungodly generation were there. It had men of learning, culture and influence living and teaching there. Victory parades of soldiers and their captives marched into Rome and through its streets. It was the center of all kinds of sinful activity. What a place for the soul winner to be! In the very center of Paul's being he was ready to preach Good News in Rome.
Rome as a city and culture despised the Jews, but he was ready. He perhaps was a small man, and to outward appearance weak, but he was ready. He had a thorn in the flesh, but he was ready. He wasn't interested in going up the Apian Way in a victory parade. He was willing to march alone with Christ to the center of the Gentile world and preach the Gospel. What a spirit! What a man of faith in his Lord! He did finally get there - as a prisoner. He did preach there in his own hired house. He did see the results of the Gospel even in Caesar's household. God had His way and time for Christ to be preached through this willing servant. He was ready!
The example given to us by this faithful servant is that we too may be ready to preach the Gospel where our Lord leads us. It is the path for every faithful servant to follow - the path of faith. The Lord Jesus Himself walked that path. Paul walked that path. Faithful stewards of the Gospel have walked that path down through the past centuries. Now it is our time to walk the path of faith and be ready to preach the Gospel. Paul was eager to give that work his very best and so should we. The place and time of His leading depends on Him to open the door of opportunity. It may be in an entirely different way than what we expected that our Lord will send us into a place to bring the Good News. It is up to us to be ready.
These were not just the empty words of someone seeking a new adventure. Nor were they the plaintive whines of someone wanting to gain attention. The man who is ready to be used by God is like a soldier awaiting orders. When we hear the Great Commander's voice that is the time to go forward.
To be ready means we don't have a tight grasp on material things. To be ready means I am willing to go not fearing what this venture brings. To be ready means I trust the One who deals with authority. To be ready means I am waiting for the Lord of the harvest to call on me.
When one is ready that person knows it is Christ who him will use. For such a one "to live is Christ," He is the One with the right to choose Just where and when to send one who lives in a state of readiness. God can use that one to reveal Himself through, and through him others bless.
Readiness implies one knows what may be expected from him in labor. It also indicates that he is ready to apply himself with fervor To the task whatever it may be by the One who sends him forth. He knows it is God who works through men to reach what is of great worth.
When there is the unmistakable call to rise and go forth to serve - It is important we know the goal and from the path of faith not swerve. To present the Gospel message is the work of the faithful one. The results of his or her service is not our goal, ours is to honor the Son.
We honor Him when we're ready to act on His guidance alone. We honor Him when we keep at the work until that work is done. We honor Him by being faithful in things both small and large. We honor Him by being true to the message He to us does charge.
"Heavenly Father, I know that everything before us this day is already known by Thee. In the little and big things of this day, I pray Thee to help me to faithfully carry them out. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."