The Apostle Paul uses three wonderful phrases in Romans One: βI am debtorβ (Rom. 1:14), βI am readyβ (Rom. 1:15), and βI am not ashamedβ (Rom. 1:16).
As Godβs appointed Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul declared: βI am debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwiseβ.
The gospel now was no longer to be confined to Israel, but was to go to all nations, and Paul felt himself a debtor to proclaim it, first because God had appointed him to do so, and second, because he held in his hands that which would save the lost. He was morally obligated β and so are Christians today.
Notice: the Apostle did not say, βI am debtor, butβ and then begin to give a thousand excuses, as so many Christians do. He said: βI am debtorβ¦SOβ¦β and his fidelity to his call is seen as he adds: βSo, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospelβ (Rom. 1:15).
Oh, that the millions of Christians today would join Paul and say: βI AM READY to preach the gospel with all that is in meβ.
But in Verse 16, the Apostle explains why he was ready to put his all into proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles:
βFor I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; unto the Jew first and also to the Greek [Gentile or Nations]β (Rom. 1:16).
Many thousands of Jews had already come to trust Christ as Saviour, but the good news of Christβs finished work of redemption was β and is β βthe power of God unto salvation to EVERY ONE that believethβ.
Surely there is no other way. None of the pagan religions can give the assurance of salvation. They all represent efforts to find or earn salvation. Only the gospel, the good news of our Lordβs payment for sin can give us the knowledge, the assurance and the joy of salvation from sin. source
