And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Paul was confident that when he reached the believers in Rome he would arrive bearing the full blessing of Christ's gospel. That confidence was connected with his journey to Judea to proclaim Christ to those opposing the belief that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. For that work he asked the Gentile Christians to pray with him for protection, so that the way could be opened for the gospel. Coming in the full blessing of the gospel for service requires sanctified intellect and sanctified power of speech, and only when both mind and speech are sanctified is a person fitted for service.
Coming in the fulness of the blessing means guarding speech, refusing to listen to or speak faultfinding and criticism, and speaking only kind, tender words of encouragement that bring refreshing and blessing to one's own heart. It means remaining silent under provocation and harsh speech, since such silence is eloquence and the greatest rebuke to a faultfinder. It means keeping the eye fixed on Jesus, who warns of perils only in order to deliver. It means striving together in prayer for God's workers instead of tearing them down, while confessing sins and humbling the heart before God. It requires being converted from a quarrelsome, contentious spirit, for such a spirit will never enter the city of God.
Paul was confident that when he reached the believers in Rome he would arrive bearing the full blessing of Christ's gospel. That confidence was connected with his journey to Judea to proclaim Christ to those opposing the belief that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. For that work he asked the Gentile Christians to pray with him for protection, so that the way could be opened for the gospel. Coming in the full blessing of the gospel for service requires sanctified intellect and sanctified power of speech, and only when both mind and speech are sanctified is a person fitted for service.
Coming in the fulness of the blessing means guarding speech, refusing to listen to or speak faultfinding and criticism, and speaking only kind, tender words of encouragement that bring refreshing and blessing to one's own heart. It means remaining silent under provocation and harsh speech, since such silence is eloquence and the greatest rebuke to a faultfinder. It means keeping the eye fixed on Jesus, who warns of perils only in order to deliver. It means striving together in prayer for God's workers instead of tearing them down, while confessing sins and humbling the heart before God. It requires being converted from a quarrelsome, contentious spirit, for such a spirit will never enter the city of God.