I would love to focus on just a few verses in this chapter that help understand all the book has been driving towards. Romans 15:18-21 – “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, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God – so that from Jerusalem and all the way around Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, ‘Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.'”

Paul is proud of what Christ is doing through him! This is something to boast in! How a mighty God, strong and powerful, can take a lump of clay and use him (or her, but here, we are speaking of Paul) to do mighty things! Ultimately, though, Paul wants to see those far from Christ know Him and follow Him – in obedience! This is huge! We don’t get close to Christ and then get to do what we want, when we want. He is Lord; that demands some kind of response! We are called to surrender our will and way to let Him lead us… to obey the way of God. Paul has done this and has made it his ambition to share the good news of Jesus – how can we not share it! News needs to be shared! Think of how excited you’ve been to share news – “I got a new job!” “I have a new niece/nephew!” “We’re getting married!” “We’re having a baby!” “We’re adopting!” We share news all the time, temporal, significant news in our world. Yet how much more should we share the news that is eternal and more significant than anything here! Stop being bored! Jump into the fray! If Christ is raised, everything is changed! Let’s get to work!