Paul closes out this chapter not only with what he gave to the Roman church but what he’s giving to us. It’s of a personal nature and may seem unimportant, but it is just as important to us as the churches he listed in the scripture. Here we find Paul’s personal sharing and excitement at going to Rome. He was a great encouragement to them, but they were the same to him. He had been pulled so many ways in his efforts to preach the gospel, but now he was going to visit the Roman Christians.
“Romans 15:22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thither ward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.”
At least 7 times Paul repeated, in some wording or another, “I’m coming to you.” He was determined. He knew the value of meeting with them so they could worship the Lord together. We need to consider this. We come to church to worship. Some people call it “going to meeting.” When it ceases to be of importance to meet the Lord and to worship with each other, we need to take a look at ourselves.
In verse 22 Paul said he was hindered from “coming to you.” It’s been such a winter that we’ve been hindered several times from having services. Sometimes our health hinders us. We miss coming together as God’s people. When we meet, the Lord comes too. Never think there is no one here. God and one are a majority. The Bible says where two or three are gathered together, HE is in the midst. Sometimes we let things hinder us. We shouldn’t. I’d rather be with God’s people than anyone.
In verse 23 we see that Paul had a desire to “come unto you.” I don’t know exactly where they worshiped, in buildings or underground, but Paul was coming to see people. He knew faces and names and had a great desire to see them. What kind of desire do you have for fellowship? It should be our desire to be blessed and be a blessing. Don’t lose the desire to come. Pray if you feel it slipping.
Verse 24 lets us know that Paul made his decision. When he headed to Spain he said “I will come to you.” He made his choice. What choices are made about coming to church? We can’t be wishy-washy about it. We can’t be indecisive and think twice about it. Christian fellowship encourages us; the family keeps us. Paul told them “I will come to you.” He decided to meet with them. Ruth decided she was not leaving Naomi. This is what we need—decision.
In verse 28 Paul said he was not going the long way around. The church in Jerusalem was in need; Rome knew that and understood it. It was important for Paul to visit Jerusalem. He told them when he finished his visit at Jerusalem, “I will come by you into Spain.” He was saying “I’ll come there before I go anywhere else.” He wasn’t taking the round about way. Do we take the round about way with church? We should not be ashamed, never of the church or our brothers and sisters in Christ. We make each other valuable. Professing Christians should not put other things in front of the church and the believers. God’s family helps us when others fail. The Lord is in us. When we meet together, the world can’t match the unity that comes from it.
Paul’s determination is seen in verse 29. “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” He said “when I come unto you.” There was no “if I come.” Some of our best times are with our Christian family. The blessing is from above through each other when we come together.
Look at verse 32. “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” Paul wasn’t coming grumbling and complaining. It’s good to bear each others burdens, but come to be a blessing. Paul probably knew his life would end at Rome. It was hard to go there. He could have been discouraged. Yet he told them he “would come unto you with joy.” He planned to meet them for a refreshing. Some people want others to make them happy while they make no effort to do the same for others. We need to counteract that and come with joy.
Come what may with the world, but if we fail to come to each other and meet with the Lord, we will lose something. How about a simple prayer of commitment to our brothers and sisters and together let’s meet with the Lord.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 