Romans 1:8-17 - by Don Neuendorf
"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world..."
Is that what you do FIRST? Not me. By nature I'm a recluse. My first inclination would be to find a good book and a nice quiet place to read it. When my kids want to play a game, my first inclination is to pass. But then, when I play, I have a lot of fun. What do you think of FIRST?...
Paul thought of everything in faith terms. I do that too - when I'm looking at people and at the world. I'm always most concerned about the spiritual implications of things. But when I'm thinking of myself, that goes out the window. I'd like to escape into a book where I can read ahead and find out how the story ends, and the characters do all the work and endure all the danger.
Paul is thankful right up front because he is not afraid. He knows that God's Word, the Gospel, is the power of God for salvation. (vs.16) That verse is the text I was given at my confirmation. I ought to remember it.
What is your default position? How do you view the world? Through fear? Pessimism? Doubt? Or through eagerness, excitement, anticipation?