May God magnify our ministries.

Romans 11:13-14 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. This was the first time in this letter that Paul specifically indicated to whom he was speaking. It makes it clear that the church is Rome primarily consisted of Gentiles, and Paul wanted to make it clear to them that God had called him to be an apostle to the Gentiles. He preached the gospel to them and couldn’t wait to see them in person (1:9-12) because they were in the bulls eye of God’s calling for him. Then a question arises. If he was sent by God to the Gentiles, why spend so much time addressing his concern for the Jews? His hope was that as God worked His wonderful grace in the lives of the Gentiles in Rome and all over the world, God might somehow, serendipitously move among his own people and save some as they became jealous of God’s salvation of the Gentiles. In Paul’s mind, this would increase God’s glory in his ministry. Here’s our encouragement today to live to love with Jesus. As Jesus’ disciples and members of His body, we are integral to His name being glorified. We are privileged to all be called to the ministry of the gospel. For God to use us for His glory in saving those whom He foreknew in Christ magnifies our ministry. When He gets the glory, the ministry is magnified. As we live to love with Jesus, it is Jesus who lives and loves through us therefore God is glorified in Him. This is what makes our ministry magnificent! It’s not us who live, it’s Jesus who lives. That’s why we want to be alert to whoever God puts in our paths. He’s giving them to Jesus so that He loves them for the glory of God through us. What a plan! What a privilege! May God magnify our ministries today as we live to love with Jesus. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com