Paul had such a burning passion for the ministry
that he just wanted to gain new grounds all the time. He had a deep passion to
go to Spain to evangelize. Seeing that the Gospel had been preached to most
places, he now looked forward to Spain. And as he was on his way, he wanted
also to go to Rome and minister to the saints there. From Galatians 2:10, we
are made aware that Paul had one task to do that could have kept him from going
to Rome. That was to bring a ministry offering to Jerusalem from the believers
from Macedonia and Achaia. After that assignment, Paul set out for Rome and
then on to Spain.
From all that Paul had accomplished, no one will
deny that Paul was an outstanding apostle. Apart from the power of the Holy
Spirit, he had one additional factor working for him. This is perhaps a very
important key that gave him the effectiveness. This factor is recorded for us
in verses 30-33. That is the power of prevailing prayers. He solicited the
prayers of the believers. Knowing of the impending dangers in Jerusalem that
was waiting him, and the power of his Jewish opponents, he called for the
believers to intercede for him. He asked not only to be delivered from his
opponents, but also to be effective in the work and ministry to the saints
which God had entrusted to him.
We might ask hasn’t he had enough at hand? Anyone looking
at Paul’s schedule would feel that he needed a break, but alas it was not for
him. He was looking for new vista, new horizon and new heights to scale for God.
Paul was not only visionary but also passionately reliance upon the Master in
the work entrusted to him to do. As we seek to emulate Paul, may we too be
visionary and totally relying on our Master. Let’s learn to say that the life I
now live, and the work I now do, I live and do by the faith of Him who loves me
and gave Himself for me.
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