OBLIGATION

If someone does something incredibly nice for you, do you feel obligated to return the favor? It’s not as if you’ll die if you don’t, but you really want to do something for them so they will feel as good as you do.

Read this excerpt from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome to see how Paul felt obligated…

I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Romans 1:13 - 15 (NASB)

The dictionary (Encarta – online) defines obligation as “Something owed:

something such as assistance or a debt that somebody owes in return for something given.”

So what was it that the church in Rome had given Paul? The answer is nothing. He hadn’t even been there. The obligation that Paul felt was to Jesus Christ. What had Jesus given Paul? Eternal life is the first thing that comes to mind, freedom from being a slave to the law and to sin. The list could go on indefinitely.

Paul felt obligated because of the incredible free gift that Jesus had imparted to him. He wanted to share the good news of Jesus and that free gift with everyone (Greeks, barbarians, wise and foolish, etc.).

Perhaps if we take some time to think about what Jesus has saved us from and the hope that we have to look forward to (i.e.; eternal life with Christ in heaven) we will fulfill our “obligation” to tell others about Him as well.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD