By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Today, as we conclude our study of Romans 15:14 through 16, let me review what we have found in our study.
Paul worked deliberately. Clearly, he knew where he had been and what he had done. He knew where he was and where he was going. He had a strong, motivating purpose. He had some clear goals as he moved from place to place. And he worked hard to complete the tasks and measurable objectives he had set down. This would enable him to achieve his goals.
He maintained his spiritual dynamic by making sure what he did was Biblically based, prayerfully under-girded and joined by others who made up a team. No wonder he could say at the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).
I have observed many Christians who are doing all of the above. Some are working so hard at it they have become workaholics. Paul explained in his letter that one reason he was planning to visit Rome was to be refreshed (vv. 24, 32). In organizing your life and ministry, make sure to include rest time, recreational time, refreshing time, and flex time. All of us need this balance to be productive.
I would encourage everyone, especially those in management, to work at developing disciplines similar to Paul’s, to manage their lives and ministries. If you would do this, I believe the result would be less frustration and failure; and more faithfulness, fervency and fruitfulness, to the glory of God and the building of His Church.
Take some time right now to review this study in Romans 15 and 16.
