EAGAR OR RELUCTANT

Romans 1:15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. Paul isn't just willing to preach the Gospel -- he is "eager". There is a big difference between reluctantly willing and eager. Pastor Ty and his wife Cindi love to tell the story of dinner one night at their home while watching Amanda for a few days (Sherry and I were out of town). The dishwasher was on the blink, so upon finishing the meal Ty got up and said, "Okay, everyone grab your dishes and let's wash them by hand." Their son Joshua (who is eleven) had the typical response, "Come on Dad -- do we have to -- oh, alright." Amanda on the other hand, enthusiastically jumped up from the table and said, "Oh boy -- we get to wash dishes -- I love washing dishes!" You see unlike Joshua, the younger Amanda considered it a treat when at home her mother would trust her with the "big girl" job of washing the dishes. Like Amanda, I think Paul considered preaching the Gospel to be an honor versus a task -- it is why he was always eager to share with anyone who would listen. We have all been given the responsibility to share the Gospel. Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Some of us just don't pursue it with the same level of enthusiasm. Do you see this command to share the Gospel as a duty or a privilege? Are you eager or reluctant? POCKETPOWER.ORG