Gospel Readiness? Romans 1:1-17

Text: “For as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth (or trusteth)...”.                                                                                                                                                      Romans 1:15-16.

Good Morning, ready Christian!  The amazing grace of God has made you ready for Heaven, through the finished Cross work of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  As a direct consequence, you are more than ready to preach the Gospel to other lost souls that they, through hearing the Word, might also find Salvation-peace in the Person of the Living Lord Jesus.  This is what I call ‘Christian readiness’.

“So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)

For this reason, the apostle Paul charged the young Timothy to preach the Word with such instant urgency.  The precious souls of men and women are in the Eternal balance and need to be won by the preaching of the Gospel.   (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

The humble dictionary defines the word ‘readiness’ as: the state of being ready; preparedness; willingness; promptness; aptitude.

Therefore, when Paul says that he is ready to preach the Gospel, he means he is inspired of God the Holy Spirit in all the above definitions of the term. Paul had Gospel readiness, and so must we.  Therefore, as Christ Himself teaches: ‘Be ye also ready...’.  (Matthew 24:44)

Being Ready:  Paul states his position in the opening verse of our selected Bible reading for today.  He testifies to all at Rome that he is indeed a servant of Jesus Christ; called to be an apostle; separated from the world unto the Gospel ministry.

Unless we are also ready in this sense, we cannot preach the Gospel to others in need.  Salvation is first personal, then public!  (Acts 4:12)

“Marvel not that I (the Lord Jesus) said unto you, ‘Ye MUST be born again!’”  (John 3:7)

Preparedness:  How can a Christian seek to be a teacher before first being him/herself taught God’s truths?  It is impossible! Paul was well taught from Holy Scripture before he ever dared to go forth to preach to others.  Paul was indeed prepared to teach the Gospel.

We too must, ‘Study to show ourselves approved unto God, work persons that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.’  As the motto of the Scout Movement declares: ‘Be Prepared!’.  Amen?  (2 Timothy 2:15)

Willingness:  It is possible today to meet many professing Christians who have indeed been make ready for Heaven; who study their Bibles faithfully every day - and yet remain barren of fruit for the Lord!  Why?  Because they lack Spiritual willingness to speak a word of testimony as to how they were saved; or to share what God is teaching them daily from His Word.  These people are nothing less than ‘spiritual misers’!

The Lord exhorts us to faithfully, “Cast thy bread (God’s Word) upon the waters (to the nations); for thou shalt find it after many days.”  Let’s be willing to share God’s truths with others.  (Acts 1:8)  (Ecclesiastes 11:1)  

Promptness:  Just as the proverbial early bird catches the worm, it’s the early witness that catches the souls!  Abraham manifested promptness to obey God’s guidance, and was Eternally blessed as a result.  When we receive Spiritual urges to speak a word for Jesus - we must be instant to faithfully obey.   Amen?  Yes, praise God, amen!   (Genesis 22:1-3)

Aptitude:  Not every Christian is called of the Lord to be a full-time Pastor.  However, every single believer is made fit to pastor unto the lost sheep yet unsaved, and unto saved brethren in need of encouragement. God grants every Christian the capacity, or aptitude, necessary to serve Christ Jesus.  This is part of what we call ‘The priesthood of all believers’.

As it is written: “Now therefore go, and I (the Lord God) will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”  Amen.          (Exodus 4:12)

“But, ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

With these truly Heavenly thoughts in mind, let all we who profess to be born again believers in Christ Jesus, practice a sincere degree of God-given Gospel readiness - for the Day of the Lord is surely near.

Thought:  When Christians are ready to serve - the Christ is always more than ready to save.