*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*LABOURING MORE ABUNDANTLY (5)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Romans 15:20 *In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Building on a foundation that had been laid is not the same as building on people where Christ had already been found.
*Scripture Treasure.*
If Christ's followers could carefully follow the Apostle Paul's admonition on what foundation is, the present day Church will spread to reach out to the unchurched.
Paul refused to go where Christ had already been named. He did not go to places where there were Christians already.
By this, Paul not only laboured abundantly but wisely.
Paul is saying in our Bible reading of today that there are souls yet unreached. There are people whom no foundation of Christ had been laid in their lives. We must not be too overzealous for Christ to lose knowledge and wisdom behind soul winning.
Paul warned in Rom 15:20, saying his ambition has always been to proclaim Christ where He has not been heard of.
If a foundation has been laid in a place, seek out a new and virgin soil, a new soul, where you might enter as a pioneer, and convey the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven there for the first time.
This is Paul's admonition at its finest!
In his long missionary work, he found it inappropriate to go over old grounds where others are or had been before him.
He says in Rom 15:22 that this has prevented him from coming to those whom a foundation had been built for.
The Apostle is saying that it was the function of an apostle to extend the gospel by founding new churches rather than invading the provinces of others and the already made souls of Christ.
While he was willing to extend the word of Christ on new grounds, he was not willing to disciple already discipled, established, and grounded souls in Christ
It is honorable to do as Paul did. By so, the work of Christ is extended, and new foundation will be built.
Let us labour abundantly but wisely.
We must not be too zealous to draw men to ourselves. Christ is ultimate!
Paul laboured abundantly in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
*Remorse corner.*
Paul must be asking present-day believers a question, which is "Why would he be building a foundation on an already built and firm foundation?"
*Call to Word action.*
Paul was careful about how he built (Rom 15:20).
Throughout his long missionary career, he constrained himself to go over old ground where others had been before him,
He says in Rom 15:22, *And, so I have been prevented many times from coming to you.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Do not go over old grounds where others had been before and had built a foundation. Let those who were not told about Christ see Him and those who have not heard, understand, Rom 15:21.
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to be a wise master builder, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.