1 Thessalonians 2:4, “On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”
Other than Jesus, Paul is the most significant person in the New Testament concerning the gospel. In his book to the Romans, he writes the most in-depth treatise on the subject. He boldly writes in the first verse of Romans that he was, “set apart for the gospel of God.”
In Romans 1:16 he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Then in the very next verse he explained the blessing of the gospel, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed— a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
In Romans chapter 1 he described the gospel and his calling, in chapters 2-3 he speaks of the need of gospel, in chapters 4-7 he teaches how to receive the gospel by faith, in chapters 8-11 he discussed the power of the gospel is for all the nations, in chapters 12-15 he wrote how to practically live out the gospel and in chapter 16 he described those who lived their lives preaching the gospel!
In every chapter of Romans the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to explain and give sound teachings in regards to the great message of the gospel. Paul wrote that we will be judged according to the gospel in Romans 2:16, he said enemies try to stop the gospel in Romans 11:28, Paul considered it every Christian’s duty as Christ’s priests to preach the gospel in Romans 15:16, Paul said it was his joy to preach the gospel to those who had never heard it before in Romans 15:20 and Paul taught that God established and matured us through the gospel in Romans 16:25. Therefore, from start to finish, it was all about the gospel for Paul.
Not only did Paul write an entire book devoted to the gospel, he also made mention of the gospel in every one of his thirteen books! Why? Because as the verse above states, Paul lived his life to please God, not man.
Paul gave his life to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ whether people liked it or not. He wasn’t sent by God to be a man-pleaser but rather a soul-winner and disciple-maker!
F.F. Bruce wrote, “Paul’s claim [was] that the message he preached was the authentic gospel of Christ. It [was] this… salvation was provided by God’s grace and that faith was the means by which men appropriated it.” May we all learn from Paul’s obedience to the gospel and be passionate preachers of God’s amazing grace!
Reflection
Do you want to be a man-pleaser or a gospel preacher?
Action
- As you read the letters of Paul look for references of the gospel.
- Ask God to use you to preach the gospel with passion and perseverance like Paul.
- Base your life on pleasing God, not man.
