"But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while" (Romans 15:23-24)

Christ is the bond that transcends both time and distance. Even though Paul had never personally met the Christians in Rome, he longed for many years to visit and spend time with them. He started out this letter by saying, "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world" ( Romans 1:8 ). The Christians in Rome had a reputation of faith in Jesus Christ. People had heard about them because their faith was the topic of conversation that spread back to the starting ground of Christianity. Because of this Paul longed to see them, he went on to say in the beginning of this letter "God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. ( Romans 1:9-10 ). Paul continually praised God for their faith every time he thought of them. He prayed constantly for them and for an opportunity to come to them. As Paul starts to close this letter to the believers in Rome he fills them in on his plan to visit as he travels to Spain.

Because of the faith report that Paul received about the Christians in Rome, he knew that they would participate in his missionary work once he got there. He mentioned it in his letter so that these believers would be prepared when he came. Paul wanted to give them the opportunity to share in the blessing that comes with giving. He understood that those who give are active participants in spreading the gospel to places where they hadn't gone. He fully expected them to aid him on his journey as he proceeded to Spain. He planned to come and stay with them; teaching and training them in the grace of God. Then he planned to go and preach the gospel to areas that had never heard the good news of Christ.

As we read about his missionary journeys in the book of Acts, we see that Paul never made it to Spain but did in fact make it to Rome. As he wrote this letter he was on his way to Jerusalem to offer the financial relief that the Christians in Asia had provided them. While there, he was arrested and eventually sent to Rome to plead his case ( Acts 21-28 ). While in Rome, Paul was allowed to spend the rest of his days meeting with these Christians and everyone else who came to hear the good news of the grace of God. "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ" ( Acts 28:30-31 ).

What an amazing finish in life to be able to share the gospel unhindered by the persecution that always followed him around. Paul finally got to Rome to meet these believers that he cared so deeply about. The bond in Christ unified them as they learned under the apostle Paul for those few years. Today, may you also share the good news of Christ Jesus unhindered and like the apostle Paul see tremendous results as people respond to this amazing message of grace.

"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you" (Romans 15:20-22)

Paul's desire to share the gospel with people who previously had no knowledge of it, fueled three missionary journey's across the known world at that time. Everywhere Paul and his companions went they faced fierce persecution because of the good news message of Christ as well as overwhelming response to it. Paul acted upon the principal of what was written in Isaiah, "For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand" ( Isaiah 52:15 ).

His desire was to share Christ where this message was previously unknown so this foundation would not be built upon anything thing else but grace. Paul's revelation of grace was unmatched by anyone. He received it by direct revelation from Jesus ( Galatians 1:11-12 ). He understood the finer points of the Law because of his background as a Pharisee and Jesus showed him how each one was fulfilled and accomplished by His life, death and resurrection on the cross. Paul understood the complete gospel and the grace of God toward mankind in the person of Jesus Christ, so naturally his desire was to reveal this knowledge to the rest of the world.

It is interesting to think how Paul alone was the apostle to the Gentile nation. The Jews had the twelve's apostles specifically set apart to share the good news of Christ with them and show them how he was their promised Messiah. But Paul was the only one sent for the Gentiles. He not only wrote most of the New Testament, but the details and accounts of his life and missionary journeys where incredible. This is because Paul was able to share the good news of Christ Jesus to those who had no preconceived notions about who the Messiah would be. Most of the time, they didn't even recognize that one had been promised, let alone identify their need for a savior. When he shared the gospel in these areas, Paul didn't have to combat doctrines or fight against the teachings and traditions of men. He didn't have to overcome inflexible ideology and tear down philosophy in order to build on a new foundation of Christ. What is awesome is that he went to areas that had never heard of Jesus and was able to share the good news on his revelation of grace. In this sense, the good news was too good to pass up and multitudes believed in Jesus and learned about this amazing grace under the apostle to the Gentiles.

This is an amazing truth, when we open our hearts to the word without bringing in traditions, doctrines and preconceived ideas of what it means to follow Christ then we will also get such a revelation of grace by the Holy Spirit that our entire lives will be affected. Not only ours, but those around us will be impacted as well. So many times religion gets in the way of relationship. Jesus never spoke well of religion, He told the disciples "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees" ( Matthew 16:6 ).  He was speaking against the established system that was corrupt and enslaving the people by rules, regulations and traditions that were meaningless. These teachings kept them from God and finding true reconciliation with him by faith. This is why, like Paul, our faith should be built on a revelation of grace through Christ Jesus. Grace is what combats meaningless tradition so that our lives stem out of relationship with Christ instead of obligation to religion. The grace and mercy of Jesus is the cornerstone that holds it all together. It is a firm foundation that cannot be shaken or removed by persecution or opposition to this message.

I am so thankful for Paul's revelation of grace and his desire to share this great news to everyone who had an ear to hear it. I am so thankful that he wrote this amazing book of Romans inspired by the Holy Spirit so that we can understand the grace that we were called into through Christ Jesus. And to operate in and live this grace all the days of our lives.