DOES YOUR CHURCH HAVE A GLOBAL REPUTATION OF LIVING BY FAITH? – Romans 1:8
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Paul had traveled the world and he was able to write to the church in Rome about their reputation. The church at Rome lived their lives for God and God used them in a mighty way. The world knew that the church at Rome lived by faith. The world understood that many miraculous things occurred by members of the church at Rome. The world comprehended that there was something different about the church at Rome.
The church at Rome was not sitting back wondering what God could do for them. Instead, by faith, they were living their lives for the glory of God. Because as a congregation they were living their lives for God, God ensured that the world knew that the church at Rome had great faith.
It was not just one saint from the church at Rome who was doing mighty things for God but it was an entire church. An entire church determined in their heart that they were going to put God first and that they were going hear HIS voice and obey. As a group, this church desired that they not only were going to be Christians, but they determined in their heart that they were going to let their light so shine before men that God would be glorified through them. The Church at Rome lived by faith, and their faith became known throughout the world causing others Christians to understand how they are supposed to live. The church at Rome was an example to all of how God expects an individual and a church collectively to live by faith so that HE receives the glory.
Stop and think of three individuals who demonstrated great faith and became known worldwide because they demonstrated great faith. Now think of three congregations that have become known worldwide because as a congregation they have learned to demonstrate their faith. It is much harder to think of a church that demonstrates great faith then it is to think of individuals.
God was able to use the church at Rome to reach many for HIM because they were willing to put God first. They were willing to be used of God and they were willing to allow themselves to be stretched so that God was glorified through them. The church at Rome was an effective church because collectively they did what was right in the eyes of God. Collectively, they put the things of God above the things of this world.
Is your faith known throughout the entire world? Do Christians look at you and state that you are a man or woman of faith? Have you lived your life in such a way that God can be glorified through you and magnify HIS name through your demonstration of faith? Is the church that you are attending known around the world as a church of faith?
God is looking to spread the good news of the gospel around the world. The good news of the gospel is that God is alive and that there is restored fellowship between God and man. God needs you and God needs the church to have such a close relationship with HIM that HE can do mighty things through you and through the church so that the world can see and talk about the fact that God is alive. If the world sees that God is real, the world will be much more willing to follow your example and strive to live for HIM.