Romans Chapter 15
The Expression Bible

Exhortation for the Strong to Help the Weak

15:1 But we
> It is important to note that with new people being added to the church on a regular basis, there will many who are confused and bewildered, due to what they have been thru and the newness of the faith, or from preconceived ideas from false religions. It is clearly a shock to the system to suddenly know that the God of the universe wants to be your Father and friend. So that is where you, who have gone thru it already, are there to befriend them and show them the way.
who are strong
> You’ve got experience that is now priceless in its ability to give instruction and aid. Everything that they thought they understood or were taught, is being shaken out and being turned upside-down. This gives you the opportunity to be used in ministry by God to help them understand who he is and what he is most interested in doing in their lives. You have an opportunity to be a pillar and mentor in their life, as they find their legs to walk on their own.
ought to bear
> Use that as a time to give them a hand up in life, in that, you comfort them and encourage them. Don’t let them feel weak and discouraged by the gap between you and them, so that it overwhelms them in the growth that they must endure. However, do as Christ did and meet them where they are, to show them the way out of the darkness and into the light. Don’t let them fall behind because they walk with a limp, but walk with them, arm and arm, to bring them along side you.
with the failings
> Remember your own struggles, as they wrestle with the anxieties of learning truthfulness. Then work out with God that which he wants them to change in their life. So that they do not feel alone or unwanted, when it doesn’t go as they had planned and are fighting the addictions of sinful habits.
of the weak,
> Because God does not want them to race on ahead to quickly and become puffed up, it will be necessary to prune them once in awhile, so to remind them of the experience of the destitute poverty of their sin. Everyone at times will experience this weakness in their life, but it need not take root and destroy them, if they find the contribution of loving fellowship in their lives.
and not
> We who are strong in faith, are not in that state just so we can impress others, so that we get to feel like heroes to the world. If God wants us to be heroes of the faith, that is his call, we should not put ourselves their on such a pedestal.
just please ourselves.
> Nor should we only seek opportunities to take advantage of it for our own benefit, and to accept the praise of others and pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments, as our sole motivation in life. That is not why God brings us together into smaller groups of people, not so that we can focus all of their attention on us, but rather that we can use that intimate time of interaction, to discover him in our midst. So that we can chime off one another and hear the voice of God in the wind as we play out our lives to his glory, that is our reason and that is our present existence together.

15:2 Let each of us
> That is why I want to tell each person individually if it were possible. That they have the most precious gift from God and that is an opportunity in life, to alter the tragedy in someone else’s life, into the glory of what our God has planned for them. The way you do this is not isolating yourself from the world so that they can not get to you and cause discomfort, but to engage them in life itself.
please his neighbor
> Seek to know who your close acquaintances are, so that you have an optimistic and positive influence in their life. Find a way to be helpful to them and let them know that you are interested in their benefiting from life. Remember that you have to live openly and closely to these people and it is in your best interest to know them well, in more then just a cordial relationship with them, you need to be able rely on each other in both good and bad times.
for his good
> To look out for each other, cover their back, not to cover sin, but as a soldier on guard watching out that they do not drift off and become vulnerable to attack, help uncover the glory of God living in them. There is property in every person out there that is undiscovered, uncharted land living in the wilderness of someone’s life, which God created uniquely in them. However, it takes an adventure to find it for them, to unmask the real person that has been hiding behind it. A Cinderella story for the ladies; a woman of virtue waiting to be revealed, hidden behind those clouds of doubt that have been raining on her every parade and leaving her lonely inside. A comrade for the men; plotting the overthrow of a wicked warlord, men of valor, appointed to raise up the flag of Gods glory over the throne of the wicked enemy. True Women of Virtue and Men of Valor.
to build him up.
> So, take a little time to do the preventive maintenance that keeps them living according to plan, not idly watching them break down to where they become destructive to those around them. It is always easier to help someone stay on course in life, than to have to do a search and rescue to straighten things out. Where you then become distracted and drawn of course with them. Better to nudge them a little hear and there, then to have to drop everything in an emergency situation and draw of the resources of many to restore order.

15:3 For
> Now, what I am saying here is not without a prerequisite example having been given to us. God wants us to follow in his footsteps and the example that he gave us in his son, who demonstrated this manner of life for you to live.
even Christ
> So when Jesus dwelt on the earth, he was not kingdom building in the physical realm, as the Jews at the time were looking for as their Messiah to do. Rather he was demonstrating the fundamental ways, in which his people should live towards one another. He set the standard for us, so that we could copy him in our efforts. That also means that we should not be physical kingdom builders either. Our efforts should be as Christ were, so that his ways become our examples to others in a living form, that they can relate and assimilate that into themselves.
did not
> So he did not set out with a plan to conquer and secure victory in safety for his present condition on earth, only for timing considerations, did he take safety on as an issue, in that it was yet time for him to die. That was not his plan, he knew that his goal was to get under the skin of the people and penetrate to their hearts where he could set up shop there. Building his kingdom where it was not just a temple of stone, but rather a temple of life, living in the hearts of others. Who then would go on living for his purpose, so that his life would be lived out thru others?
please himself,
> That meant that he was put out a lot from life’s comforts, he didn’t take advantage of his prominence among the people to have them do his bidding and tax them as their king. Instead he became the whipping post of their suffering and took it upon himself to absorb the wrong in their life, rather then add to their burden of it. It wasn’t about him in the details of the message that he was trying to convey, as a man in the flesh, among men in the flesh. He wanted them to see him acting in their best interest, not his, so he put off his kingship and put on humanity, as the cloak he wore before us.
but just as it is written,
> And this was something that was preplanned ahead of time, because it was prophesied about before he came to us. So the role Christ took on, he did with deliberate forethought, as must we. We must predict it for ourselves or it will not happen by circumstance or accident that we are put out for our brethren. So write into your future and write it down for your memory to do so, just as God did for Christ. You must plan to put on the cloak of inconvenience, thoroughly for the benefit of others, with forethought, as though it were your own foreknowledge of things to happen. Have a prophecy concerning yourself in this, that you author, by the will of God in his word for you to do so, in being Christ-like.
"The insults
> Their intentions are that of a depraved anger, that wells up and wishes harm on them less able to defend themselves. They practice lies and betrayal, which are meant to cause wounds, even death. This is an accumulation of their own failure, which is redirected at others, for no cause other than hatred. Just to embarrass or belittle someone’s character, to destroy their self-confidence and weaken them before them self.
of those
> Those that have hatred in them, who define themselves in how they show abuse to other people. They are both destructive and self-destructive in nature and see gain only in ruin, not in the formation of partnerships and allegiances, intending to do well for everyone, but find their motivation in hurtful acts.
who insult you
> They have wanted to penetrate you with these intentions and cause you to fail and be destroyed for their benefit. They wanted to weaken you with lies and shame you into submission before them. That is their course in life and outside of that; they have no definition for themselves, other then the destruction of others for their benefit.
have fallen on me."
> I became vulnerable for the vulnerable, so that, what they would have wounded you with, instead has wounded me. All the weight of it would have crushed you and left you dead, because you do not have power over life and death. However, I do, and because of that power that I have, I interceded on your behalf and suffered in your place for you.

15:4 For
> The objective of what was written concerning the coming of Christ and what he would do, and the instructions that were given, were not preconceived for our benefit. They were not abstract or misaligned in any way, with what God intended to do from the beginning of time, and before.
everything that was written
> All that God had kept a record of, was done so intentionally, by people who were faithful in their lives. Just as you are doing now and living for at this time, to create a message going forward, of what has taken place in the past.
in former times
> They lived long ago and were faithful, what we are doing now will be looked back on, as those who were also faithful and added as a record, to the those who did the will of God. You also in every generation going forward will testify in your writings of what God has done. Though it will not be added to scripture, it is no less true, and then the testimony of them that is in scripture. Because all of you are his living word, before the people of the time that you exist in.
was written
> So they recorded it in written text, and took care to preserve it, so that we would have access to it. A permanent record of where God intervened in mans dilemmas, for the soul purpose of glorifying himself, before a people that could not know of it on their own. So that, due to their blindness, they could now be saved from his wrath, that would have otherwise destroyed all of them together. Had he not revealed his glory so that they could believe.
for our instruction,
> The reason being, that God wanted us to have an actual account of what he did and what he was going to do. So that we could rely on it as proof of his intercession in the past and then learn from it the truth of the present time. Because God does not change, neither does truth itself, alter with mans thinking, or the accepted norms or practices that they employ. God relates to man at their level, to open their eyes to Gods glory, but he does not alter his attributes of truth to do so. It is man, who must alter his knowledge of truth, so that it is based on Gods attributes alone and not on what currently suits men and their scheme of things. This is what all truth of men is based on, nothing more than the current skew of the schemes that they employ.
so that
> Then with that knowledge in hand that he has given to us, we now have a basis that men without it cannot employ, with any absolutes as to what they believe, but we know for sure what is absolute, because God has told us.
through endurance
> That we now have what it takes to be pillars among the weak, because we do not rely on the cunning of man to describe a more alluring way, that would leave us with no argument to back us up or debate his cunning. Instead we reference his written record as I have done, and say this is my basis for truth and everlasting hope, but you have nothing more than an opinion based in unfounded words. So, in that we outlast their schemes, because they do not pass the test of Gods word in us. Which is our foundation against their assaults, they will mock us, but they will not be right.
and through encouragement
> Wherewith we also have the ability to help one another, to reach out to one another, having our basis also on Gods written record of overcoming evil with good. The ability to empower each other by what was written. Not in imagination and wishful thinking, but in absolute promises of God to us. We should never make things up that just sound like good advice, but make sure it is advice verified in the Bible first.
of the scriptures
> Because it is more than just words on paper, but the written words of God, that tells us what truth is, so that we might rely on it as absolute. Backed by Gods deeds that he has followed thru on, so if we don’t dwell in fantastic ideas as the world does, but square what we think with faith, hope and love. We then have the backing of God to go forward on and to live in purpose of desires for us.
we may have hope.
> In addition, from that understanding, we then have the hope of God in us to restore us to him. Not leaving us unattended in a world that is not seeking his glory, but willing to lift us up to see him in his glory forever. Knowing that this present life is only temporary, we have the vision in us to see beyond it and what the future holds for us, because of what was written about it.

15:5 Now
> Let me just take this time now, to evoke in you the idea of what I just talked to you about, I want to encourage you to become like Christ, each and everyone of you. Not just in partial areas of your life, but fully committed to spiritual growth, over and above that which the flesh would deem practical, because it cannot understand the things of the Spirit or conceive the ideas of it.
may the God of endurance
> I want to express to you, that I have hope for you, that God will allow you the time needed for you to mature and become Christ like in your thinking and actions. God has very patiently dealt with mankind in the past and I have the same desire and request before God in me now. That he will patiently work in your life to produce the spiritual affects of growth in you, and I am confident that he will do just that.
and comfort
> I want him to add security to your thinking and the conditions around you, so that you are able to live beyond what might at times seem overwhelming in your life. So that you are able because of having developed the power of faith, hope and love in your life, are not shaken by the conflicts of life. But rather have found peace in the midst of the war, because you now know that God is in ultimate control, of that which happens in life. Not willing in his efforts to fail you, will secure you in his eternity beyond this time in our life.
give you unity
> I am praying for all of you to think and act in accordance with what you are learning from me about God and the function of the church body. So that each person is connected to the same standard of living, which is provided entirely by our union with Christ, as he teaches us all to live. As though, we were singing in one accord, according to the same truth, that is based in and on his word. Let your lives be a chorus of praise to God, because of your oneness of mind to glorify God, which over powers all divisions among you.
with one another
> That each of you has higher esteem towards the other, not that there won’t be different opinions on things, I have already just talked to you about that. Nevertheless, in these differences, realize that you are bound together in the same body and that should take precedent over and above, what you do not have in common.
in accordance
> The reason being is, that you cannot be dismembered in the body of Christ, because that union of Christ overrules any and all objections that come before you about rituals, methods or customs that you endure for one another. You have to behave as one body, because that is what you are, you do not have the power or position to live outside the body of Christ.
with Christ Jesus,
> Because it is Christ himself, who is the head of his body the church and will not allow his body to function disjointed from himself. He will establish rule over his body and we, as that body will lose authority to act on his behalf, if we do not honor his body. We would only be representing ourselves, if we function outside his church body as an authority unto ourselves, to be part of Christ, you must be part of his body; there are no exceptions to this rule.

15:6 so that
> Out of that unity then, we have in each other, all our combined actions serving to amplify our witness to the world and our praise to the pleasure of God. Not thru imagination of our thinking, but in real tangible efforts, that is seeable and effective in our lives.
together
> That all our efforts be combined efforts, that we would lay aside things that are not worth bickering about and focus on what is a must for every believer. Those being faith, hope and love. Sound repetitive, yes, but absolute, none the less.
you may
> Doing this will empower you in your unity to stand together and allow you, thru your diversity of people and cultures to become one clear sound. This is an avenue not ever there before, a new passage way, the discovery of a new land that was unknown to mankind. Hidden from our view, but now it is accessible to all who seek it. The part of the puzzle that was missing has been found, and it is you in the picture of Christ body.
with one voice
> That way one person does not say one thing that is not said by all believers together, they receive what they have from one source and it returns to that source as a reverberation or echo from where it came. Do you begin to see the picture of Christ in yourself, which is what I am trying to awaken in you, not a blurred image that we imagine being truth, but a clearly defined object?

Which are you, in an act of worship and praise, which is unique and identical to everyone else’s, because it has its basis in the relation of gratitude and thankfulness. Humanly unimaginable that so much diversity of thought and concepts could be reconditioned to think and act out, to find the same conclusion in life, but it is the same in each of us, due to its source.
glorify the God
> For the purpose of glorifying of God who is worthy of praise, because no matter the voyage that brought us here, we all came upon the same current that was not of our power, but was directed from above. All things flowing back to God no matter where it began its journey, it all has but one destiny for us, and that is to the glory of him who saved us.
and Father
> Who is the Father of us, yes in every detail he claims us as his own, but he claims even more the dedication of the one who saved us. In that, he did not withhold himself to retain his glory in heaven when he sought rather to bring glory to his Father, whom he loved more then we are able in our minds to comprehend.
of our Lord Jesus Christ
> Who was Gods son, as he also was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ first, before he was our Father. More precious then we could begin to fathom, the Father and the sons unity together from eternity, deciding to save man by way of their own sacrifice, made in its formation in heaven before man existed.

15:7 Receive one another,
> Always accept other people for who they are and where they are, doing this for the reasons that we have just discussed previously. Knowing that things that are happening in their lives, are there for Gods purpose. It is for them to work thru, for his purpose in them, to glorify him in saving and sanctifying us.
then,
> Because when you accept them, even with faults or differing customs, as compared to yourself and what you are convinced is the truth behind them. You are confirming in them, the same grace that God had and is giving you in the issues that you are working thru, or will be facing in your own future.
just as
> As it happened in your life, is the same way that it is happening in their life. They responded to Christ call of repentance, in the same way you did. Then Christ began a work in them, conforming them to his image. In essence, a completely different form of clay in the potters hand, being reshaped uniquely by God, for God. Not in your image are they being formed, but in Gods image after Christ’s example. Yet unique in every detail differently then you, just as you are uniquely different then them for Gods glory, glimmering just as bright as each other, in your distinctions from each other.
Christ also received you,
> As that is how Jesus took you in, you were unlearned in the ways of Gods mystery to save mankind from their sins, but Jesus still took you in just the same. Even though you were unaware of his doing it, until he came to you after the fact. So now after the fact, we should not claim independence, just because we now know what Christ did.
to God’s glory.
> All this Christ did for the glory of God, not to satisfy mans perception of things and customs. But for the soul purpose of glorifying his Father and the works of his hand, as unquestionable in his character and attributes that demonstrates his godliness. Moreover, that was to your benefit also, in that he gave you eternal life in glorifying himself. He chose to demonstrate his glory thru us and in us, as a workmanship of his glory.

15:8 For
> So I will once again set the record straight, as to the coming of the Messiah, as to why and how he did come to us.
I tell you
> I want you to hear this from me, so that you can feel free to quote me on it as being on record, as I having said this concerning his coming to earth, in the manner in which he did.
that Christ has become
> This he did of his own initiative, Christ took it upon himself to demonstrate to mankind that he was superior in his thinking and there was no one before him or after him, that is like unto him in his character or mannerisms that he displayed. Proving that he was the Messiah that was to come and that the search and wait for him was over. And that this messiah that came to us, came in humility, not in his full kingship that was his to claim, he set that aside in coming to us in order to redeem us first, and teach us of God, in his life.
a servant
> He dressed himself in humble attire, not in a kings crown of jewels and gold. He owned no castle or army to defend him or do his bidding. Instead, he chose to live in the land and in the openness where the people lived. Instead of asking from them, he gave to them freely all that he had, even above his own seeable possessions.
of the circumcised
> He came and served out among the Jewish people, where their was no crown for him, just the average toils of life about him. They saw him as themselves, not as one who lived in luxury behind the temple walls, or as a king in a castle, but he lived in their homes with. Just as God told King David, I want to dwell among the tents of my people, not in a temple made with hands.
on behalf
> He did so according to that desire in coming to the Jews, to verify to them the reliability of God and his dedication to uphold the character of his name. His intention was to solidify that which he is before man and angels. So that all could see in his glory, that he was just, holy in all his actions, towards both evil, and good.
of God’s truth
> In that God does not mislead his chosen people with words that have no meaning, he came to them in the very manner that he said that he would. God fulfilled every command that he gave them to live by and there was no error in anything that he did himself.
to confirm
> He wanted to solidify the faithfulness of himself and leave no room for those who would deny him to have any basis for their argument. He left no room for them to dispute his claim, although he knew that they would reject him after revealing himself to them.
the promises
> That when God gives his word, it never sways or diverts from its fulfillment in any way or deviation, for what he says, he will do. Therefore, when God makes a promise, it is as binding as any law that he makes. Because his word can not be broken or swayed to, towards another opinion of what is moral, or disputed as the wrong outcome.
made to the fathers,
> Having made commitments in the past to the forefathers of the Jewish people, to bring out from them the Messiah that would rescue them from their sins and lead them into eternal life. Taking the reins of eternal kingship to himself, ruling over all the earth as the ruler of not just the Jewish people, but all the earth.

15:9 and thus
> So with that having been accomplished, just as God promised it would be, the gospel came to all the world and they received it, just as God intended for them to.
the Gentiles glorify God
> As a result of that, those who were not Jewish, saw that God loved them just as much as he loved the Jews and wanted to have them as part of his family. So when they realized the meaning of what had taken place, they praised God with their hearts and voices. What they were unaware of before became clear to them, so they dedicated themselves to Gods glory in their lives.
for his mercy.
> Because all of a sudden, they found out that God did not hate them as they were led to believe, but that he deeply loved them and would not let them go off into sin and destruction. Therefore, he intervened in their lives to save them from a destiny that they had no power to alter.
As it is written,
> Because long ago, God said that this would be so and had it recorded so that it could be recalled by me and others as evidence of Gods intention.
"Because of this
> So now all of them will finally know, that which I King David know to be true, because I will reveal it to them myself, a thing that appeared to be a great evil has been overcome. But that was just a way of turning sorrow into joy, as the blinded people of ungodly living, come face to face with the wrath of a Holy God, not just to destroy them, but to make them see the futility of their sins.
I will confess you
> Nothing will keep me from announcing to all of them, that I believe with all my heart in the almighty God of my Fathers, I will be a witness of and for God, and align myself with God in either life or death.
among the Gentiles,
> They will see for themselves that which God is capable of against the armies of evil and that the only safe place is at the side of God. There, in their midst, I will speak openly of Gods love and mercy and of all that he intends to do to glorify himself. So that their eyes will be open and know that God is God.
and I will sing praises
> My voice will not be silent, in fact I will rise up in songs of praise to his glory, I will bring respect for him among these people who did not know him. They will see me sing your praise and they will begin to learn of your laws and love.
to your name."
> They will know that the God of Israel is the only God and that all of their idols are nothing more than vain imaginations. That they have deceived themselves for no good purpose, but I will lift up the name of God before them and leave no doubt before them that you are God.

15:10 And again it says:
> Then also it is written down and recorded for us by God, that we should know what he previous intentions have been all along.
"Rejoice,
> Allow yourselves to become a new people before God, completely alter the way you view things about what you understood about God. When you do get excited about God, have the enthusiasm about it, like that of a child having discovered something incredible for the very first time.
O Gentiles,
> You are a people that were blind at one time to the ways of God who created you, but not any more. You have made fully aware of that which God is doing on the earth and thru whom he is doing it. So now you to must come to full knowledge of it and respond to it, now that you know, you have no excuse for not sharing in that light of knowledge or exposing others to it.
with his people."
> You are welcome now among the people of God, so long as you are willing to share in that experience with them for what has been made aware of to you. This means learning and experiencing the right ways of God and employing them in your life. In this, you will learn the benefits of Gods grace and mercy, and in that, you will find your own voice of praise and worship to God, along with those of us whom already do.

15:11 And again,
> Then in another area of scripture we read this, concerning those who were not Jewish, but that God had planned all along for them to be his people also to glorify him in every way.
"Praise the Lord
> Adore you God with all your heart, open up yourself to the acceptance of who God really is and when you do. The realization of it will overcome you with a thankfulness, which will pour out from you as a cup filled with aroma, overflowing of its contents and the flavor of the spice and aromas, filling all your mind and senses. Rising before God, as does the burning of incense fill a room with its presence. So that all that enters the room, are immediately aware of it on their senses also, to glorify God with you.
all you Gentiles,
> This is to be the way of all the people of every nations or tribe of people covering over all the earth. Not just a select few from a corner or portion of the earth, but everywhere out of every nation.
and let all
> God is inviting all of them to come before him in this manner, he is not excluding anyone of any background. So long as they are willing to live in their hearts for him, they should assemble themselves together as one people, with one God over them in everything.
the peoples praise him."
> They should all extol to God the discovery of their hearts and share with God how happy they are to have found him in their lives. Not just by words alone, which are acceptable to God, but with their lives they should praise him in how they love one another. Becoming living proof of the existence of God in all that they do, demonstrating faith thru acts of love, not dramas for men to be in awe of you in, but thru love, which demonstrates the sincerity of God in you.

15:12 And again Isaiah says,
> Another place that this truth is referenced is in the book of Isaiah and the idea behind what Isaiah was saying was this
"The root
> The source and beginning of this heritage and in this case a very prominent person of recognizable stature. One whose name is part of the historical records of the Jewish people, this is where we will see God out maneuver mankind and do his will, while we just stand around looking at the results saying, what just happened.
of Jesse
> That one of Jesse’s grandchildren, Jesse being king David’s father, who the prophet Samuel came looking for the one who God would anoint to lead Israel, and then found David, the least and littlest among his children. From this remote and distant existence, God would cause and anoint someone as savior, who is directly related to this family and their lineage, traceable back to Jesse.
will come,
> That one day, one would be born out of that families heritage, with a destiny that is not definable in human terms, but comparable only to the limitless will of God. This one will have a destiny unto himself, in that he will not be taught in what to do in human terms. But will be born, as he is, able to do all that is required of him, completely viable at conception and birth, to perform the will of God.
and the one
> And this person will not be just anyone, this is a person who is predestined to do what he does, as an act of his own will, for the glory of Gods will. He will advance way beyond what human thought is capable of and trigger a source of events, which will cascade itself, into that which is permanent for man to seek and deal with forever more. What he does will be to the human mind, as vast and as confounding, as trying to comprehend the entire mass and volume of the universe. Its endless extension into unknown regions, both mind boggling and beyond human comprehension. So effortless will he command the ways of the human heart, yet at the same time, the complexity of what he will do, will raise him to an unreachable level in the concepts of mortal thinking. Then God will do in us, the unimaginable for us, allowing us in our small region of existence, to touch thru Christ, the infinite and unbelievable, in complete belief. The tiniest of mortal conception, will be made into the vastness of Gods glory, a tiny breath, undetectable in the volume of mans clamor in the earth, yet God pauses to hear it, and says… mine.
who rises to rule
> He shall become the king that takes leadership to a new level, that no man prior had ever seen. He will do so by acting in a way, that is completely foreign to all those who expected him, though they thought that they knew. So even though, the majority of the Gentiles for the most part will reject him. His name shall be lifted high on the lips of the people, for what he will do and the power of what he does will be uncontestable, though many will try.
over the Gentiles,
> But those who did not have a preconceived idea of who he would be, that being all the non-Jewish people. They were more than happy to receive him for who he was; Jesus the Lord and Christ. Because they were lost and when faced with their dilemma and the fact that, they had no God to deliver them. All of a sudden, God chose them as people he would embrace and love. They just melted into his loving arms with the exact gratitude and attitude of thankfulness, which God himself wanted to see in their hearts.
in him
> And it was thru this Jesus, that everyone is saved from Gods wrath, by trusting on him for salvation. It is Christ and his glory that we now depend on to save us, and as I said already. After it happened and we were given understanding, as to what had taken place, all we could do was wonder in awe of it and say, what was that.
will the Gentiles hope."
> So all the people of the world will turn to him and put their faith in him as the one who will rescue them. The best thing being that we will not have to wonder or worry of his ability or the outcome of our destiny in him. Because it was God who initiated the whole thing to work out this way and he is the one who finalizes everything that will happen because of it, and it is his will to save us in Christ, in this manner. God had the power to exist in who he was, while he allowed mankind to fall into sin. Sin and that it happened, was because of his power, so the reverse is also true, that it is because of his power, that he is able to take us out of that state of sin, due to his power alone.

15:13 Now
> Having declared to you all the truths that you need in your life and having laid down a foundation for you, to organize your local body under the banners of mutual love, not rituals and ceremonies.
may the God of hope
> I want more then anything, that as a result of you putting into practice, these things I have taught you. That you would receive, back from God his affirmation, of what it is that you are doing. I want you to see for yourself, what it is that God enjoys, as he looks at you, as to what and how you are doing it. Because then you will understand from his reaction to you, that he is the source of your future and that it is because of him, that you have a future.
fill you
> So that your whole body of believers together will not be able to contain the fullness of his ministry in you, but that it will overflow out of you and into the lives of others. They will then see for themselves, what a wonder he is to have done this for us.
with all joy
> Because when you as members of one another, are rejoicing in having come to the full knowledge of Christ and his power, to have loved us so richly in salvation. Then your heart will be glad and it will overtake you in the sorrows that came before or will come again. So that you be able to smile in the face of your struggles, knowing you are not alone, but that you have attained endurance, new facilities and faculties, thru Christ.
and peace
> That you will be able to relax, when things around you should make you filled with tension and anguish, over the anxieties that you should feel. Yet there will be an unexplainable calm in your thoughts and body, which are beyond human explanation, but it is of God in you, and you know it.
as you
> And this will be this way, as part of that relationship that he invited you into with him. He named you as an individual and identified you as one that he desires. Because of that invitation, to live for him, in a relationship to him, you said yes, or as in a marriage, you said, I do.
believe in him,
> Now your faith, is a living faith, that you have as having acknowledged the truth of who he is and what he has done. Knowing that he is Lord and there is no other Lord besides him.
so that
> For the specific reason that you no longer have want, for the reason of your existence, but that you have a definite purpose for who you are, in your identity with and thru Christ. God has revealed your identification to you, as before you were an unknown entity, even unto yourself. But know, you are Christ bride and that is who you are.
you may abound
> Which in itself provides you ample opportunity, that would otherwise not exist for you. Now everything in your life is limitless in your pursuits for Gods glory, because he has defined your existence not just on earth, but into all eternity. God has provided an increase for you, but don’t think in material possessions though, think in the currency of love. That, which he has already spent on you, is that which will spend thru you, as a part of your ministry.
in hope
> Which is the reason that you live beyond your now mortal bodies, knowing that you will live on past the boundaries of the flesh and into boundlessness of his spiritual body, awaiting you in the body of Christ. That is your destiny now, so the longing in you for this is ever increasing, as you mature in your relationship with him. The longing will get deeper for Christ, as the things of the world will wane, as their shallowness is revealed, in the light and comparison to Christ glory.
by the power
> This is happening not because you have attained in you the power to be your own person in life, but rather that you have surrendered that control voluntarily, into the hands of Gods Spirit. Then there in the control of God, he glorifies himself thru you and in so doing, reveals the awesome power of himself to you. The latter person then being better for having been in the glory of Gods presence, then if they would have retained control to themselves and the limits of their own ability.
of the Holy Spirit
> Whose Spirit has come alive in you, making you his temple of worship to him, in that you have been explicitly bound with him and inseparable now, for all eternity. This being that which enables you to come into the presence of God at all times, because he now dwells in you at all times, in that the Holy Spirit lives in every believer, that calls on the name of Christ to enter into his salvation.

15:14 But
> I know that I have given you a lot to think about, even though you were not unschooled already before myself, in that others have already taught you in their ministry before me. But in that there were issues still being discussed that needed resolving, I wanted to take this opportunity to clear up controversies, before they could fester into something more serious.
I myself
> So I want you to know that I am fully aware of your educational background, when I gave to you these lessons for your consideration also, I just wanted to add to you a well rounded understanding of things, in order of their importance.
am fully convinced
> And that I have no doubts that you are well studied and have already graduated out of what might be called the high school of learning, in that you are capable and willing in your desires to glorify Christ.
about you,
> In fact, that you are like seasoned veterans in your abilities now, having encounter the life in Christ, as a body, head on and have endurance in the things you encounter. Even if the your reasoning behind them, is not always immediately obvious to you, your faith is steadfast despite a difficult issue.
my brothers and sisters,
> So we have become partners now in all that we do, taking on the same task as would be expected of those, who are likeminded in an effort. A task that has been granted us to be done, as an act of grace from our Father in heaven.
that you yourselves
> In that the exercise in your spiritual life is producing more mature lives and those efforts and attitudes are being implanted, in those in whom you have entrusted to mature. Your efforts are admiral, in that you have learned the art of replication and the affects of duplication of rewards, which come after you have invested yourselves in one another.
are full of goodness,
> And as a result of this, you are performing as master artist in their craft, having worked at perfecting it in you to the point. That it is now coming out from you, for another’s benefit. The art of virtue is being instilled from the youngest thru the oldest among you, making it a family affair, to be admired by others.
filled
> As what is the normal course of things in this manner, when you have taken in all that you can. You then have resources available, so that what do you do with all that you have attained, in order that may receive more from the Lord in blessing, you must give it away.
with all knowledge,
> Because you have studied, and not tried to tie your identity to one area of learning. Not having closed your minds to live for only a few basic rituals, as though that were enough. But you studied all the doctrines and have been open to the true nature of Gods character and your sin nature. This is allowing you to be seen in full view of the picture of Gods body. Participating across the board, in what is the churches function, finding your individual, yet collective attributes, as to applying what you have learned.
and able
> You can now extend that wealth to others, because you are not poor in understanding and have come to be able in this, to explain why and what you believe in the details of doctrine. Your have empowered yourselves thru your diligence and willingness to learn as much as possible, even if it meant that you had to alter your current thinking and behavior.
to instruct one another.
> You have now, in these abilities become teachers yourselves, fulfilling in one another, that work that was begun in you by other teachers which you have now, become yourselves. Therefore, I am in this, asking you to carry on what was imparted to you and give that away to others. Do not withhold your knowledge and keep it to yourself for your own advantage in an air of superiority, don’t save it up for your personal use, but use it to better your condition, by improving the condition of others. That way everyone is acting in the best interest of each other and that rising tide will increase the welfare of everyone. You don’t need to be the smartest one in your church, but if you are, you will be the first one to know that increasing others, is the smartest thing you can do for yourself. Nothing will increase you more than a room full of wise and secure people, functioning at their peak of performance. Especially, when it was you, who helped them, achieve that which they are.

15:15 But
> Having said this, as to my knowing your abilities to understand and impart what you have learned to each other. It is apparent to me, that you have in you a willingness to be receptive in the matters of Christ. I need you then to grant me the leeway in my relationship to you, as a fellow partner with you. As it is in you already, a frame of mind in how you train and learn from each other. It is in that attitude, which I want and need from you in receiving this letter from me.
I have written
> I have taken the time in crafting this letter, for the very reason of leading you on an adventure of an even deeper understanding, of what it is that you have become a part of in your relationship with the body of Christ at large. And also in your smaller and more personal groups that are more near to you. Although I am writing to you in Rome specially, based on your history and local issues. It is ideal for anyone to hear and apply this to their lives also. As it is good for the whole body to hear what is going on in you, for their benefit and yours, in receiving this message.
more boldly
> So what I have told you about in this letter, is not for unlearned children, but mature adults in Christ, who are able to digest the meat of Gods word and not choke on its difficulties, in consuming the meaning of it. The practices that we are here for, in exercising our Christian walk, is to increase us more in the image of Christ and to see things not from our own individual perspective of things. But that all of us learn what is for our benefit, from Gods point of view. That way we will see out over the trees in the forest, from his high position, rather then trying to see past the trees, from living in the midst of the forest, as you did before you knew Christ. There you lived in a reclusive and visually impaired vision of what life was and where you could go. All you had, was well worn paths to lead you in life, that were put there by others before you, who they themselves, did not know where they were going, but you followed the paths, as all that you knew then. So now, I have the job of trying to help lift you above the trees, where Christ has also lifted me. So that you can be with us in beautiful and glorious scenery of your life, which God has for you, both individually, yet united together with him and each other, at the same time.
to you
> So now Christ came down from above the trees, to take you out from living in the maze of the forest and let you see things from Gods clear an unlimited view, of where you should be heading. No more wandering and living, just in the revolving maze as those before you did. You are being brought out of it and being shown what is the truth, as to what it is to be living amongst one another, in a better way. I am here as one of those guides to you, on some of those areas that need revealing, to bring out from the midst of the forest, to a clear view.
on some points
> In respect to certain issues, I have a lot of experience because of my background and the precise understanding of them. Having lived under and taught the intricacies of the laws, rituals and ceremonies, which take the shape of religious expression among my people and the way I was before I knew Christ myself. Because I have this direct experience, I am among those most qualified to express with actual understanding, that which our Lord has to say about these things.
so as
> That puts it on me, having experienced these things first hand, that I should explain them to you. As one who is not surmising about something, giving you nothing more than an uneducated opinion, of some unrelated subject to me. I actually lived that way before, with great zeal and confidence that I was right, in what I was doing. But Christ proved me wrong in my human interpretation of spiritual matters, and that is my hope and intention writing you, is that you will not have to learn my lesson the hard way.
to remind you,
> The way that we are able to alter, that which we were formally, into that which Christ is, is to consistently and constantly review, that state in which we are allowing ourselves to live in. We need to always bring to the forefront the attitudes of our relationships to one another and with Christ. So in reviewing what it is, that we are constructing our faith upon, should cause us to not only inspect the condition of that foundation and whether or not, we are only building on the right foundation. But that are we staying plumb and true to it, in our construction upon it. The foundation, if it is Christ, will not falter of fail under the weight of the building, which Christ is designing in you, for you. So I only want to remind you, to do this for yourselves, as I do also.
because
> And the reason I able to even communicate this with you now, is because having once been a slave to the religious concept of things and how I interpreted the spiritual and unspiritual nature of things. All of which was based on human theology of spiritual matters, not based on the spiritual truth of human matters. I was blinded myself because I lived in the forest, instead of the high mountain of God who saw and interpreted all the manners of men. Wherein we lived remotely and isolated in our thinking and made interpretations in small areas of input, based on the tactile feel that we received from that isolation of the forest. God saw all the ways of man and the temporal status that his truth was based upon. If a man is born and lives his whole life in a desert, he thinks all things are dry and water is scared. If he lives near the sea he sees it all as wet, vast and searchable, and the dry land as safety and sacred. If he lives near the mountains, he sees life in its limits with boundaries and the mountains as sacred, as to their being a too towering and daunting of a challenge before them. So our environment shapes us into who we are, but now God has a new place for you to live and has a new shape for you to be molded after, which is his son Jesus.
of the grace
> But I have come to know, that in Gods hands all things are available to me, limited only by my willingness to allow God, to show me the way in the adventure of discovering them myself. He is allowing me to go where I was formerly forbidden, to go and to receive from him a relationship, which I could not even see or perceive, was available. Even thou I was taught and was not blind in my understanding of religion.
given to me by God
> Because it is God who knows the way from his high view, that takes in all that is, and he desires them to be in me, as part of that gift to me. That is where I am going with this in you, that place where God is taking me, where I am allowing him to show me the way. Instead of living in amongst the trees of the forest where I was, so come out with me also and let God be that guide in you life also.

15:16 to be
> Because in that I have a purpose and it is incumbent upon me in this purpose, that it become the beginnings in you and not end in itself in me. I am not the objective here, but the story line of that which I am bringing to you. So it is meant to be continued in you and thru you as a never-ending story, of the revelation that is knowing Christ in the first person, a relationship that is his intent in coming to you.
a minister of Christ Jesus
> So here I am as a result of his grace to me, once I was his sworn enemy, now his willing servant, not content just to be at peace with God in my life. I want to be zealous finally for the right reason, which is Gods love for those who will profess his name. I want the title that I carry as his Apostle, to only reflect the willingness of myself to serve in that position, as one who received it because of his grace to me. Not as one who was right for the job, even though he trained me for it while I was an enemy of his statehood and my allegiance to it, was off in the distance from the grace of his revealing it to me.
to the Gentiles.
> Yet, here I am before you as a courier to those to whom I once cursed, not just under my breath, but those whom I had open disdain for. Now I am seeking you out as my close and loving allies, to put aside what I was. Not for my benefit, but for the promotion of yourself thru me and for the glory of God in you, for the continued strength in you and the salvation of many to come after you.
I serve
> I live for the reason of you now, though because of what I fully know, due to his grace in me and of its revelation to my mind. I would prefer to die to this world, for the presence of his world, which I am waiting to be part of. I am here because it suits his glory and purpose in me, to remain and establish right doctrine and hearts among you that desire the pure love of faith in him. As I wish to embed it in you as your own sole quest in life, to have that very same frame of mind as I have in me, which is Christ to be made fully alive in you.
the gospel of God
> So that the good news of Christ death and resurrection being firmly implanted in me as my only reason for existing. There being in me no other good thing of who I was, which is clearly abundant in the court of evidence, in the history of who I was without Christ. That out from me should come to you my witness of Christ redemption to us, before we even knew it was there for us, he saved us anyway. Before we even new we were going to be saved, he had already saved us.
like a priest,
> Look at me now though, according to the rich mercy of God in me, in that, that which I was, hardly qualified me to take up the promotion of Christ as an Apostle. To live with only one course in life, in that, I am interceding in your lives, on your behalf for the benefit of your relationship to God. I mean, how that ever happened, I’ll need eternity to figure out, and I will still be in awe of it then too.
so that
> In that God did this in me, it should also be apparent that he intends the same thing for you. The objective here is that of substitution, which began with Christ for me, where I am now made as an acting substitution for Christ, who has ascended to be with the Father, with the mission to now establish you. You now are to take my place as acting intercessors, for others to establish them for the same purpose.
the offering of the Gentiles
> Because it is not possible for me to carry on the process of interceding continually on your behalf and for all the others yet to come to Christ. It is necessary for you to fulfill your own ordination, as intercessors for the others that come among you and that it be made complete in their training also, each built on the labors of the one before them.
may become acceptable,
> Because the only way for you to share in the work of God, is to become profitable in the labors for God. And not only labors of repetition, but skilled labors at the craft of making disciples out of ordinary people, for the dedicated purpose of exercising the precise gifts of God in them. Teaching them how to teach others as apprentices, that which your gift is and passing that on as master-craftsmen themselves to their apprentices.
sanctified by the Holy Spirit
> This all being made possible in making you complete in your union with Christ thru the transforming power of Gods Holy Spirit, who has come to live in you as Gods Holy temple. So that thru this transformation that he enables you with his power to do, you cease to live under the domination of the flesh and in the freedom of holiness that the Holy Spirit provides in you. This sounding strange to the human psyche is an abnormal way of providing freedom, but then, God is not in league with the human way and its strategy of thinking. He defines things that to our way of thinking are as abstracts and misalignment of methods. Useless objects that have no place in common sense, because men see what is only to their benefit, they can not recognize that which is for Gods glory as sensible to do.

15:17 So
> It is of necessity then, that I likewise acknowledge the source of my own pride and what it is that I find myself respecting as to that which I am. At least in the area of knowing that I am properly fulfilling the act of intercessor in this world. In that it came to me to do this, it was not my idea at all; it is the internal workings of an external power over me, that I succeed in this adventure and mission I am on.
I boast in Christ Jesus
> The only thing that I find myself able to brag about, is to that which is the might and strength of Christ in me. In that, it is Christ that I am proud of and his work in me, because it glorifies him thru me. This takes me somewhere, where I would not have known of it apart from him. It is where Christ has taken me captive in himself, but the latter state of this prison I am in, due to Christ, is a luxury compared to my former state which I was in which was a slimy dungeon.
about the things
> Because of that glorying process, I move in the direction of Christ rather than in the direction of my will or needs. This enables me to share in the residuals of Gods glory that would have remained foreign to me, without ever having taken place in my life had I not submitted to his will. Because I now dwell under the veil of Gods glory, it has been a covering for me in the nakedness of my sin and weakness. Which if I did not have in me, my intention to live for Christ, I would be living outside of his veil of glory. Only knowing the tactile feel of humanity, but never knowing the eternal veil of Gods glory, covering me in my faint efforts. That he magnifies from my position behind his veil, which appears on me as a royalty of garments. Because what you see is myself hidden in Gods glory and you may mistakenly take that which you see me doing as my power. But it is a mirage that God allows me to live under to others, let there be no misunderstanding of it, it is Christ glory you see. I am just hiding behind that veil of his glory; the royalty is Christ in whom I am robed with his garments.
that pertain to God.
> Therefore, because I know, and have seen this active in my life, I want to continually move away from earthly things, which weigh me down and prevent me from living under Gods veil and covering to me. So that I may lift and rise up to heavenly realms of God and dwell and bask in the visuals of his glory. It is like being invited to hang out and live in the luxuries of the king, whom he pleases to share with you at his expense. As it pleased him to call you his friend and give to you what was previously out of your reach. Or, if you refuse his invitation, to then remain in poverty, only to be taxed by the king, whom you do not know by rejecting his offer of fellowship with him. One is an invitation to share thru and because of your poverty in the merciful riches of the king. The other is to ignore the offering of the king and be subject to his disposal of you, as nothing of value to him, or even the disciplines of the king, for having publicly rebuffed the good offering of the king. So it is my desire then to act with the cunning of wisdom, to see the invisible nature of God, which God makes clear for me to see, and then make it known thru me, as if it were me, but it isn’t, it is Christ in me.

15:18 For
> As for that attitude that I have assigned to myself, concerning who I am now become among the people of the church. It is most important that I define for you where I see my self among the people of God. And what status and applause that might be given me in my work with others, is humbling to me, and though I don’t want to wound anyone’s show of appreciation that they either are or will show to me. It is undeserved in my own opinion of me, in light of what I first tried to do in destroying the very church, which I am now trying to establish in you and others.
I will not dare
> I have and will always put my hand over my mouth rather than take credit where no credit is due me. For me to brag when I was dragged into to Christ service, by Christ, as I was opposing it. Would be degrading and call into suspect my intentions behind this which Christ is doing thru me now. I learned the hard way who Christ is and I shutter to think of what I would be doing, had not Christ taken me in as his.
to speak of anything
> So that which I tell you about myself, as if I were quoting my resume, is meant only to encourage you, in that no matter the difficulties that you incur in your lives, Christ, the one who tore me from the bindings of my sin, is able in you to do that which is great and awe-inspiring to those around you also. So when I speak of the glorious things that I have been entrusted to do for the church, it is not about me that I am trying to focus your attention on. I am only the glass that carries the water, which restores and quenches. It is Christ the living water, which provides the relief you need to focus on.
except what Christ
> It is what Jesus himself is determining to do thru me, that is the foal point that I want people to see. I have come too clearly see and understand the ways of mans heart, that the sooner we let go of our aspirations in life. The sooner we will be able to live in the kings castle and the entire splendor that is present their. The king is bidding you welcome and it is incumbent upon you and me to respond to his invitation to come and dwell with him.
has accomplished
> Because the things that I have done that are worth bragging about, were done for me by Christ and the labors that I put my physical efforts behind, only slowed the process down, in that. God could have just spoken it and it would have been done without my interference. However, he loves me so much that he would rather bring me along with him in the progress of the church and have us instruct one another in learning. Even if it is at a snails pace, then give us each a full and complete revelation, as to what we should know and do, and therefore be nondependent on each other.
through me
> So I am only a vessel that God funnels or channels his providence thru. As one who was once full of himself, I am now so much more because of Christ. In that, he emptied me of my pride, and myself, by causing me to face that which I was doing, in a face to face interview with him, in that I was persecuting him. To actually see Christ is glorifying, but in that state of sin that I was in, was petrifying, but that is how I am with you in this now and am only hollow without Christ in me.
in order
> So I accept the challenge that is before me in Christ, to be that person that he has retained, to perform this task that is my purpose to do. To put things in a sequence of understanding among those in my care, so that a proper flow of information is progressing among the church and that it continues to be disseminated and properly dispersed long after I am gone. I want the evidence of my being among you to be that of changed and transformed lives from the inside out, just as I was with Christ. That evidence being Christ ever present in you and not me, as anything other then a guide to Christ.
to bring about
> With the eventual pattern taking shape of the visible church body of Jesus Christ being made known, due to myself having been able to see the invisible God that you have not yet encountered. By my doing the work of a master builder and laying the framework of the vision and drawing up the blueprints of assembly that will be required. It will one day be completed in exact specification, according to the resources being made available by God himself. Therefore, I am here to provide you with that information as my ministry to you as an Apostle.
the obedience
> That those who follow after me will be as dedicated to Christ glory, as I myself am and willing to take the labors upon themselves to finish that which God gives them to build. It is my plan to help finish the work in you, begun admittedly by others and a wonderful job they did without me. I say this to reinforce their efforts in you, so that you have at your disposal all that is necessary for you to be totally committed until the end of your life in Christ.
of the Gentiles,
> Because God made those of the non-Jewish people my ministry, I was placed in charge of your development by Christ, and because it was Christ who placed me here. I do retain to myself an air of authority over you, because of Christ though and not because I have assigned myself to this position. So in that it was Christ who has put me in my position, it is also for you to know and respond to that authority, to which I have it setting doctrine before you.
by word and deed,
> Of course, that means then that I do not want you to just give lip service to what I am telling you and then ignore it once I am out of the picture. Your lives themselves should reflect that you have received my teaching and applied them to your lives. That you have woven the words that you receive from me, into the very fabric that is the sustaining power in your lives. That is what really matters here, not that you gave me audience to here and read what I am telling you, but that it is referred back to in everything that you do in your personal life and in the body of Christ, in a more corporate setting.

15:19 in the power
> By way of that instrument that I am in the hand of Christ, in that he was the one who held me in his grip and exercised control over me, conducting the operation on humanity, in what I did as that instrument in his hand. And that was done in no small manner, but in an overwhelming method, God took complete control over me and it was as though I was an innocent bystander. I watched God maneuver things, both physical and spiritual, out of their misshapen state that they were in and reconstructed them before our eyes, into what they were not.
of signs and wonders,
> I am talking here about deformities of the human body, being physically reshaped into their normal state. Terminal illnesses completely cured, death coming to life again, all as we watched in awe of it. Miracle after miracle, dumbfounding both the religious and irreligious alike. It wasn’t done in secret, but in open where its evidenced was for the benefit of the people to see, that it was beyond their abilities to resist or explain away, what they saw for themselves before their eyes.
in the power
> Because behind it all was a source that displayed an incredible competence of command. One that did not error in its design of influence over the physical world or struggle in efforts to order the reformation of what its current state is, into another state counter to what it was. This was a massive show of command over what could not be touched, in a human effort to restore, but by Gods will that it should happen, it just did.
of the Spirit of God.
> And that competence of command, of mind over matter, that stunned those who saw it, was Gods Spirit itself, moving thru the crowd, causing both fear and rejoicing from those who beheld it. It was his way of showing rule over any and everything, which he created; nothing withstands him or refuses to obey his will, not now, not ever.
So from Jerusalem
> Having begun this work for the Lord on my missionary journeys, I started in Jerusalem, the place of the churches beginning, which was among the first Apostles and disciples of Jesus.
even as far as Illyricum
> Those journeys I took were vast in any measure and I covered a lot of land, even all the way up to the northern regions Illyricum.
I have fully
> That area, which was previously absent of knowledge of Christ, is now saturated with that same information, that you have from others and from myself. They, as yourself, have at your disposal, all the truth you need to sustain yourselves in that power, that God is giving you also to live thru until then end.
preached the gospel of Christ.
> Because what I took to them was the complete and the whole truth, concerning the good news of what Jesus did to fulfill the deeds of the Christ. That he indeed was the Messiah, that was to come and it was Jesus who was that Messiah, which they should acknowledge.

15:20 And in this way
> So I have a plan, as to how I am using what God gave me as my personal mission in life and to what it is I am going to do with it. I have done lots personal research into this and found out where and how I was most effective, in what I am doing. And the best method for me is to continue to focus in that area, where I am most effective and not bother myself in the affairs of others, where it is not my gift to produce results.
I desire to preach
> There is this fire that is ablaze in me, it consumes my daily thoughts and drives me to find ways to best use the fire. I find that the best way, is thru setting it free by airing it out, rather then allowing it be smothered in me by covering it up. Therefore, I am actually giving it the fuel it needs, so that it burns even brighter by exposing it to the open and fresh air of this world. When I proclaim Christ with my voice, I am giving air to his message of salvation to those who hear me. And when I do this, the fire of that passion in me, sets other hearts ablaze for Christ also. So let there be no doubt among the people, that I am not passionate about my purpose in Christ. It consumes me in all that I do and it shows itself in the whole of the areas that I have been, for they are now themselves ablaze in the glory of Christ.
where Christ
> My passion is then to go out among the people and bring unity across the divisions of distant cultures, who are separated by space, rather then stay and serve only at the local body level. It is important that the same messages and instruction be given uniformly to all those who follow Christ, so that we all read and function from the same word of God, as it is meant to be understood. Or else, you have the problem of errant messages being believed upon, where there is otherwise unity of doctrine in the church as a whole. Stray beliefs can crop up, if we do not go their first, and set it right.
has not been named,
> But what really gets me charged up, is when I get to go somewhere, where the gospel has never been preached. Where there are so many unanswered questions about God, due to the many splintered ideas of man who have tried in error to put a face on some form of god, or I should false god. Where then, I get to be the first one to explain Christ to them and am able from the very beginning, to set them up in a firm basis of beliefs that will become solid among them. Getting people properly set up as leaders, so that they can continue to carry on the work correctly after I am gone, I love to pass the baton. Then I have someone with whom I can have a rapport, which allows me to maintain an open line of continuation, beyond my physical limitations to be involved in the personal lives of each individual.
so as not to build
> Because it is always difficult to come into a situation, where someone else has already done a lot of construction, but your not in tune with what, where or how they have done that work. So you end up having to spend a lot of time investigating and defining the next course of action, rather then just moving forward. It takes along time to get yourself and others all on the same page. So I just as a personal method, prefer to have to opportunity to start a church from scratch, rather then spend a lot of time analyzing where a church is in its present state of growth. I can’t do it all and I know that, so I would rather deal with what time I have, as proficiently as I possibly can.
on another person’s foundation,
> Because one of the difficulties in trying to come in after another has done some body building already. Is due to the humane nature, to develop loyalties to the previous founder’s authority. They want to remain loyal to what he gave to them, which is awesome in itself, but not necessarily good for the body. In addition, another cause for conflict, is that people do not like change, and inevitably, someone new will bring change, whether it is welcome change or not. Everyone must tune themselves to that new leaders way, because the leader cannot tune himself to each individuals tone, and still maintain harmony in the church. No, that would just be the cause of disharmony, which would make people cover their ears and drive people away.

15:21 but as it is written:
> And what it is that I am doing was foretold in the scriptures, but not just about me doing it, you to can be a part of this movement. It is a wide-open opportunity for anyone who takes it, so don’t be shy about it. Here is in essence, what the scripture is saying on this.
"Those who were not told
> There are always, and always will be many people who have not yet been given the instructions of having Christ in their live. New people are being born everyday all over the world, which means there is no shortage of supply when it comes to finding and making converts.
about him will see,
> God is preparing their hearts with questions that only you can answer, so when you come to tell them about Christ, God will give them a personal revelation as to it being the truth and their eyes will be opened to it. Then as they see the truth also, then they can act upon it, they will have insight into Gods kingdom, because of your willingness to take them the message about who he is and what he has done.
and those who have not heard
> Because God wants them to hear about him from others, who already have had that personal relationship with him, he wants me and you to go tell them about him. He wants those in every land to hear the good news, not just once, but repeatedly. As new people are born, they to will need the gospel, so you can set them up as mentors and monitors of their own regions, as ministers and missionaries to their own people.
will understand."
> The intention is then, that they will put their faith in Christ and be saved, that is the whole idea of replication. You and I being missionaries, thru are actions, train them to be missionaries, and because they learn the process, they become effective tools in the hands of God for gaining and retraining others.

15:22 This is the reason
> Because I am not telling others, do as I say, not as I do, but I have been actively involved in this very command of the scripture to do Gods will thru the times, life and action of myself. If you have ever heard the expression, put up or shut up, well I’ve been putting up for the kingdom of God throughout the lands within my reach. I’m working diligently for that very same cause of Christ to be alive in the hearts of others, just as you have attained to it for yourselves.
I was often hindered
> Because I was so dedicated in my actions to promote the gospel in all the areas that God opened up to me. It has preoccupied me continuously and as with any work of dedication, it preempts my other desires. Even though they are good desires to, I must keep my priorities right, as I hope you would to.
from coming to you.
> Because of that work I am doing in getting churches established throughout the region, I have been unable do to do all the good things that I would like to do. One of them is coming to see you in person, so that I can be a part of that which I hear is taking place among you. I am jealous for you in a way that I feel like I am missing out on your excitement that you have found, and I would like to be a apart of it with you.

15:23 But now
> But how things have changed it the course of time, at one point I was being torn in so many directions that it was just exhausting to be me. Nobody had heard the gospel and there was some much foundational work to be laid, that I was to taxed by it all to get way. Now all that has changed for the better, there are many labors working on the harvest of souls for Christ.
there is nothing
> I say this with a sort of bitter sweet in my heart, in that they are no longer dependent on me, like any parent I do not want to let go of them. On one hand, I am relived in that they are able to function without me, but then there is that old feeling of wanting to be needed by them. Even though it is better for them this way, I have to feel a little sad.
more to keep me
> That base work that was done in you by others, I have done here and so I am free of the responsibility of the day to day labors of setting things right. So that I have turned that work over to others, who are both willing and able to continue without me.
in these regions,
> In fact this whole area is pretty much up and running all on its own, the church is here to stay and will stay until God chooses otherwise. All my labors have paid off, the return is a great dividend of well studied and practiced lives.
and I have
> So because it has been my intention, that is, I have felt both the need for your benefit and the want for my affections, to see others in the church outside of this region where I have been totally focused. Its been my plan to see all that is a part of your lives in person and be able to give you some individual attention, just as I have done here.
for many years
> In that, I had a short term plan to come see you right away, that became a long turn plan in actual operation. It’s just that there was so much to do here and so much dependence of them on my time, what I meant to do with you for the joy of it. Just kept being put off, in that you are basically healthy and growing, but they were not yet where you are.
desired to come to you
> But my delay has always been that of regret, in that I was not able to be there with you thru the birthing of your own selves into the kingdom of God. I have not lacked in any sense, a passion in my heart for you, for what you were going thru and my wanting to be a part of it with you. Things are definitely looking better now though, as far as my time constraints are and I am gaining the liberty to fulfill that desire in me to see you.

15:24 when I go to Spain.
> I am currently planning to leave this area and head to Spain, so that I can evangelize that area for Christ. Since they have yet to hear the gospel and be settled in the beginnings of a church there, it is just what I am looking for to occupy the world for Christ.
For I hope to visit you
> So it is in myself, as I have already stated, to spend some time with you on my way there, and to finally be able to see all of you face to face. It will be nice to see the people behind all the stories that have been told me about yourselves. That way, in the future, as we communicate over long distances, I will know the eyes of them that I am hearing about and that is so much more pleasing, when I do not have to think in the abstract, of how you are described to me. It will really personalize everything I hear and help me in my prayers, to involve myself with you personally.
when I pass through
> Though my time with you may be brief, let us make the most of it and not cheapen the meaning of it due to its briefness. We know that our time on earth is short, and therefore we must look on the positive benefits of it and dismiss that which can not be. There is a way that we can in essence extend the nature of my visit though, not only in increasing my arrival time, but also in extending my departure, though I am speaking figuratively.
and that you will help me
> And that is if you will partner with me while on my way there, that is in coming out to meet me in my coming, so that I am more quickly guided to you. That way you are involving yourselves in it emotionally, by preparing for my arrival ahead of time and anticipating it as with the Lord. Then I will need your help in my traveling arrangements, so that you can help by having prepared things ahead of me, for those provisions and passageways that I might need.
on my journey there,
> In this way you will be both receiving me as your welcome guest in showing me the Spirit of hospitality and sending me into missionary work on behalf of ourselves and Christ, making you my true partners in the mission fields of the Spain. In doing this you have a stake in its outcome, which for you is a cause to lift me and them up in prayer for the missions success. And the rewards of your actions being taken note of by your Father in heaven, who watches all that we do with the intent interest of an artful master. Sculpting us in every way, while taking joy in what we do for him, he sees it and watches out for our benefit, to be there for us.
after I have enjoyed
> And though I would like to spend all my time in the garden of fellowship, just enjoying the company of other likeminded believers. Just because it feels so good, not to always be contending with the wicked and their evil intentions. It sure sounds good, the idea of just kicking back for awhile, but I know that there is much yet to be done and the time for resting, will be supplied in the eternal days ahead. Not that we will need it then, but it will be like rest, even in labors, in that our bodies then will not grow weary, nor our minds feel drained.
your company for a while
> But what I am hoping for while being among you is, that I am encouraged in my journey and sent then on my way all the better for the wear and tear, in the time it takes for me to divert myself from my main missionary work in Christ, to have the opportunity to be received by you. I’m not a kid anymore and travel isn’t the easiest thing for me, but I will do my best to make the best out of our time together.

15:25 But
> That being as it may, if you think on those things for our future that will bring us into a union of thought. For right now though, I have to take on some of the local needs that have been going unmet, but will be tended to in short order when I get to my current destiny.
now I go to Jerusalem
> So I will be first going to Jerusalem with the intention of meeting those needs as it has been so supplied me to do so. The whole body of Christ is beginning to grow, not in just maturity in officers of self-government, but in unity of function. That enables one member to enable another member, whom they have and never will see on this earth in all probability.
to minister
> And so I myself am a sort of chain link in my duties, to act in my position as an Apostle, who leads and instructs with Christ authority. With the attitude of a servant and as a father over his children, being their ruler and supplier of their needs.
to the saints.
> I will be to them as one who dotes over his precious possessions, caring for them not only with my affections, but conveying the affections of others as well, always reinforcing the idea to all of us, that we are not in this alone. First and foremost, our Father in heaven knows our paths and needs, and also that each of us here on earth, are acutely interested in theirs and your needs also. So we are all precious to God and one another, and our futures are intertwined and secured in Christ. Who is that which makes it possible, thru the working of the Holy Spirit that sees us thru.

15:26 For Macedonia and Achaia
> All of those who live in the regions of Macedonia-Achaia that are gentiles and committed to Christ themselves. Have taken it upon themselves to invest not just their time to Christ, but their valuables also. They understand what has taken place in the in the big picture of what Christ is doing and do not want to be exempted from it themselves, nor do they want to be left out on the blessing of others. They see it from both sides of there being obligation to others of the faith, but also want it for themselves, as a desire to be a part of that which they see, as Christ body by extension, that being thru their unity of the Spirit. Therefore, they want to be in on this and do not want to be left out of the loop, of what is at stake in others of Christ body. You don’t have to run to this kind-hearted group for them to help, because they are racing out to meet you, as soon as they became aware of it. These ways of their heart, is why I am telling you this, so that you can catch this kind of insight from them, and apply it for your own benefit, in your walk in Christ. Don’t wait for someone to come to you for help, race out to meet it ahead of them.

are pleased
> When they knew of the condition of the believers that were suffering, they wanted to help them out of the goodness of their hearts, which came about from them in knowing Christ as their example. Therefore, they were excited and motivated to be involved with them to the end. This isn’t the end as they see it; no this is the beginning of life together in Christ body. That, which is missing, will be supplied by possession of another. Not by taxation, but thru offerings that do not tax, but affect relief for both the giver and receiver. The giver is given rest in his soul from the release of his possession, where he trades it in return for his love-increased, and the receiver is given rest from the despair of his want, and in receiving it in his gratitude, it is turned into love-increased, in him also.
to make
> So they joined their minds and banded together their hearts in one concise effort, to make what they had in abundance, an offering to them who were lacking. It became a missionary effort on their part, to sustain them to the point of viability of their own needs. The idea is as simple as baking a cake, the diversity of items put together to form an altogether different union of flavor to taste and enjoy. These people took the diversity of their possessions and converted into union of funds for the taste and joy of others.
some contribution
> So that in diverse methods from each ones ability, they became a fellowship of one mind, to effect the condition of another’s state that they were in. This is the true action of fellowship, where you assemble not to receive from one another, but to give to one another. Though this context is for the exchange of funds, in your own local church it need not be money, but attitude and encouragement. If you go to fellowship, expecting to receive some-thing, you will leave their poorer for having come and frustrated in your Spirit. On the other hand, if you show bearing gifts of praise for others in their walk and acts of helps, you will leave there with your arms filled with the thanks of others and the satisfaction of having your gift received. Which is more than receiving something is, in itself. If you show up looking for some-thing, you won’t find it, but if you show up with the intent of being a motivator, you will find fulfillment, in emptying yourself into that goal.
for the poor
> So they fulfilled a purpose, that was to be continued in them, not just a one time divergence to them, but a lifeline of supply that charity, would be fed thru the proper course of time. To feed them, as their part in sustaining others, in the family of Christ. They, who were without, were made full, not because they went looking to receive, but because those who were had substance, looked to give it to them.
among
> Though they are not all impoverished that are there, there is simply not enough to go around, in sustaining all of them in the difficult times that they are experiencing. However, this will go a long way in reviving them in their Spirit, in that they will know that they are not alone in their struggles.
the saints in Jerusalem.
> As the group of whom I am speaking, are those believers in Jerusalem who have been purified by the blood of Christ. They are the redeemed who have confessed Christ and are being persecuted for their faith. Therefore, they are doing far more than just putting food in their bellies and satisfying their hunger. They are taking up their suffering with them, in having a part in their sacrifice. How, in their sacrifice for them, they are not letting them bare the burden alone, they sympathize with them, so that in time they can rejoice with them also.

15:27 For they were pleased
> And as I stated already, this was not a tax or extraction from them to have done this. They wanted to have their names included on the list of those who were giving it all for the glory and sustaining work of Christ. It was like a natural outpouring of what they have become thru Christ, an instinct if you will, to do good things in response to bad news.
to do this,
> For them it would have been sorrowful news, if they would not have been allowed to share in this burden. They themselves would have felt rejected to not be allowed to make this offering, but it was more then welcome and will be well received of them with gladness.
and indeed
> In fact, the truth be known, there was a union of benefit to Gentiles, that had been formed beforehand by the Jews. An act that began in them, became a giving or contribution of fellowship towards the gentiles, before and apart from them having asked for it. So, if you look at it from a position of responsibility, of one group to another, there is a reason for the gentile’s generous response. As far as the knowledge of events that have occurred is concerned, it was a response to the Jews providing the knowledge of salvation.
they are indebted
> The gentiles do owe a debt of gratitude and love for what has transpired beforehand in the Jewish nation, that they had no part in. Because it is salvation, which the gentiles received out of it, but had no part of it, in the beginning, because God confined himself to the promise of bringing it about thru the Jews. So because salvation came from the Jews, there is honor and respect due to them, which has provided knowledge and insight. Just as you due honor and provide for pastors and teachers among yourselves, you should provide for those who bring you goodness as a people.
to the Jerusalem saints.
> These people in particular that I am referring to as a nationality, are restricted to the believing Jews only, those who are purified in the salvation of Jesus, in that they have openly professed his name, both for their sake in the gospel and yours. They are the true offspring of Abraham and the promise of God to salvation, for all the nations to come out of.
For if the Gentiles
> So as a result of the first group (The Jews), the second group (The Gentiles) has something that they otherwise would not have knowledge of. If this is the case then, we can reasonably conclude, that this action by first group, providing the light to shine on the second group, to guide them out of the darkness. There should also be a reaction by those who are no longer shut up in spiritual darkness. They should live as though they have been rescued and show the same favor to the first group, that God showed to them, giving to them what they lacked, from their abundance. This is what God did for man, giving them his righteousness, which he possesses in abundance, for having trusted him in to do it.
have shared
> Now the gentiles have received this from the Jews, as that was the promise of God to save the nations thru the Jewish people. It became a benefit for the gentiles and it has been received by a great many of them, as the Lord has called all gentiles now into repentance and obedience thru the Jews. Therefore, now that it has gone out among the nations, those peoples should recognize that which God did thru the Jews.
in their spiritual things,
> So if the Jews have provided spiritual health and abundance to the gentiles who were poor in Spirit, due to their preoccupation and focus on attaining physical wealth, at the expense of spiritual obedience. While at the same time, the Jews became poor in physical wealth, due to the focus on spiritual obedience. Keeping in mind that the treasures of Gods knowledge to enlighten the hearts of man are still contained in the Holy Scriptures, which is of the Jews. Meaning that the supply and giving of the Jews, is continuing to this day, every time the Old Testament is read, and now the New Testament also in my letters to you.
they are obligated
> Then it is only right for the gentiles to now step up to the responsibility of caring for that which they are now a part of. Because part of the Christian ethic, is contributing to each other. So that where there is lack in one area, the others step into the gap to fill that void. It is a fact of life, that there are duties that are to be fulfilled in life. Whether to nation or family, without duty, there can be no respect for one another. It is when we accept duty in an attitude of gladness, that we that find the treasure buried within the bonds of that duty. Parents have duties, as due their children, but when the spark behind them is right, it becomes a burning passion of delight to do it. Rather then, a weight of burden heaped upon the bitterness of the soul, which is of those who despise that duty, in wanting something for nothing.
also to minister to them
> It is merely the idea of returning a favor to someone, before it is called upon in an untimely fashion. Seeking out the opportunity to do good for them, before it becomes an issue of security and survival, where their state is that of an emergency due to neglect. Don’t wait for them to come begging and have to humbly ask of you, bring it to them when you have too much and if they don’t need it, let them pass it on to another, till there is no need.
in material things.
> So to send them things that are perishable, in the very nature of what they are, is not so great a sacrifice. When compared to what it was that they gave, which is eternal and will never be taken away or be used up, as do the temporal needs of our bodies.

15:28 Therefore
> As a consequence of what has taken place in the outpouring of the gentiles towards the Jewish people who are in want of things. I have taken it upon myself to continue in sharing in this process, because I am so wrapped up in the overflowing of this. That I want to see the look in the eyes of those whom are in need, when the see what has transpired among the gentiles on their behalf, I wouldn’t miss it. This is what Christ wanted so much in us, to see us develop ourselves into what he modeled for us, to be after him in our minds.
after I have completed this
> So I am going to take this liberty of joy in my life with them now, as I also want to take with you. But first things first, I really do need to see this thru for myself and let the Jews know, that they have not been forgotten or abandoned by the church, that now no longer has to go thru them to access the Father of us all in heaven.
and have safely
> That in fact, they are much more in the hearts and minds of them then before, when they were dependent upon them for access. Because now it has its basis in love and not the law, which only they were possessors of. I mean, this is big, so I want to take this to them and reassure them of how secure they are in the hands of the gentiles now. So when they see me bringing it to them, I will explain it all to them and comfort them as well, so that they now that all is well.
delivered this bounty to them,
> And I feel that this being an open door for others to pass thru, in the continuation of the act of giving and the fact that it is no small amount. It is prudent for me to put this in their hands myself in person. I want to make sure that everything that leaves the gentiles is accounted for, so that no mishaps of judgement skew this from happening again. The roll of ambassador between two distinctly different cultures, needs to be bridged with security and caution for all involved. There are always wolves among the flock, who would scatter that which is whole, for the benefit of a few.
I will set out
> But once that is done, I proceed with what are now my plans to be a missionary for Christ. I will leave them in capable hands as I always do, in that the other Apostles are there for them always.
for Spain by way of you,
> So as I have already stated, I am planning on going to Spain next and that on my way I hope to partner with you in my efforts to do so. So I will come to have true fellowship with you in all of its meaning, that is, that we will contribute to one another in the Spirit of giving and not just receiving.

15:29 and I know that
> Having done this many times in the past, I already know what to expect when we come together. It is something that the Holy Spirit prepares us all for in times of fellowship, it is a continuation of the work that he is here to do in us and thru us. We being the benefactors of the work of the Spirit on earth, the process of transformation is identical for all of us, in that it is Christ whom we are modeling after. Yet we are each unique, in that we have all been personally identified by God, as having our own place in his body for his glory, to show himself thru us is that uniqueness of his character of glory, that he displays in us.
when I come to you
> So when I arrive, I will not arrive without some idea of what will take place, rather I will have an agenda to follow, that will include the formation of a continuing process in you of renewal in your hearts on a daily basis. I am not looking to have just a big bash that we all look back on as quite an event, which you can tell your children about. Memories are great, but they are better if they are part of an ongoing process, that only has its source in that distant memory. In other words, I don’t this to be a flameout, where we just come together spend all our energies in the event of coming together, as though it were just some festive occasion, and then go on a permanent retreat away from it. It should rather be a reference for your children as to a point in time, where what is happening in their lives many years from now, had its beginning at that point of reference, of when we first met. So that instead of a burning flame, it is seen as the spark that lit the light that burns brightly in their hearts in the future. To us it can be a flame, but in retrospect by comparison, just the spark that got it all going.
I will come
> So that is what I am planning on in my arrival, and I am already at work in the formation of ideas, as to what we will do to produce the results of Gods continued work in you and me. We are all on a path, that takes us on that journey where we meet Christ, that is where I am going when I come to see you and that is what I will bring with me.
in the fullness
> I plan to bring with me a wealth of practical experience that I have from having worked in this area before and I hope you will be willing to pick my brain, for as much as you are able to take in. I will supply you with all the knowledge and information that I have at my disposal and plan to open the flood gates of that upon you. So, let us make the best use of out time together, so that your hearts are open to take in the wealth of all of it that Christ has put in me.
of Christ’s blessing
> As all of what I know, has been the result of Christ in me and nothing that is of value that I know of, did not come from anyone except Christ, he having freely bestowed it upon me. That is exactly what he is planning in you, an exact duplicate of his character in you, over and above anything that you might imagine, that is what we are all predestined to be.

15:30 Now I urge you,
> There is a danger presently in my life though that could prevent my coming to you. I want to make it known to you, so that you will be able consider the seriousness of it and take a strong stand with me in this, one that is immovable in your hearts.
brothers and sisters,
> As we are dear to one another because of our relationship thru Christ, which is what binds us no matter the distance between us.
through our Lord Jesus Christ
> So I would like you to invoke the relationship we have in Christ and act upon it with urgency. That you would see yourselves in this situation, as pertaining directly to you, not just because it could prevent my arrival. But because it involves the faith that we both live for in this life and that it is for his sake that we do this, not for us.
and through the love
> The reason that all of this is occurring in our lives, has its basis in one simple fact, and that is how God has loved us from the beginning. It is thru the continuation of that love, that we have learned and attained from him, what I am asking you to access in you now.
of the Spirit,
> Because when we by way of love, invoke the Spirit of love on one another’s behalf. God really takes note of it and is pleased to engage us in that action, God sees love in action and is drawn to it in interest, it is what he is looking for in us and wants to cheer us on.
to join fervently
> So approach God boldly as I myself press him to go before me in battle for the hearts and souls of others. Take up the cause of the cross with me, so that everything that we bring before him is consistent and in one voice before him. If we do not draw God into this battle in our defense, we will lose. God is no less motivated by the actions of others than we are, so we need to engage God to see his intervention and see me thru this.
with me in prayer
> I would like you to join with me in prayer, so that you would agree with me in this before the Father. God wants to see our dedication to this come before him, so that we do not take it lightly and just take are labors for granted, in disconnect from God.
to God on my behalf.
> Ask God to be with me and pray with me for that which I a doing, do it with an imploring heart to him to show me favor. I want God to be with me totally on this and that it not be just me on some Paul adventure.

15:31 Pray that I may be rescued
> Intercede for me so that evil does not spoil the goodness that I am bringing with me. I have many enemies of the faith that once knew me as their friend, but now consider me a trader to the state of Israel. There is nothing more that they would rather do, then make an example out of me, it is from these people I need to be protected. Therefore, I need you to ask God for his restraining power, to bind them from influencing the people there from assaulting me.
from those who are disobedient in Judea
> Because if they who are enemies are successful in interrupting my ministry, it will have a negative influence within the whole church in that area. Because if they see that I Apostle, am not able to stand against them in faith, then they will feel less bold themselves, shrinking from their own duties as faithful servants in Christ. So the wicked need to be interrupted long enough for me to complete my ministry there among the believing Jews.
and that my ministry in Jerusalem
> So in that way, those who believe will realize the importance of what I am doing and that all of my efforts to build bridges between cultures, is not in vain. I am well aware of the difficulty that I am undertaking upon myself, to bring these people who are not at all likeminded, into that one mind. Which is that of Christ in each of them, that way there is a likeness in them for future growth together.
may be acceptable
> For this to happen, they will need to be open to the reception of outside help, even though I now that the poor will be grateful for the gifts that I am bringing. The peer pressure of those who reject the like-mindedness of us in Christ, and hold to the archaic beliefs of Jewish separation from the gentiles. Would let them go hungry due to this false pride. Therefore, it is imperative that God intervenes in the hearts of the saints with the true faith, which they are secured in themselves.
to the saints,
> Sot that all the believers there can have a place with me in the gospel and that I also would have a good place of reputation among them also. That I am able to establish the true Jewish heritage among them and the gentiles, not the false faith that the nation took for granted and the false belief that the Jews were better in Gods eyes then others. Because it was only the promise of God, that made them special, not, that they were special in themselves, and so God made them a promise.

15:32 so that by God’s will
> If everything happens the way I hope it will, there will be peace in my coming and going in Judea. If so, then it will be by Gods will then that I am able to leave here unharmed and ready for my journey. At least that is what I am hoping to have happen, but it is not my decision, but Gods, and he sees things from a superior place then myself, so I yield to him that final decision.
I may come to you
> So in that, if it plays out in that fashion, I will come to visit like I have planned to do, but it all hinges on God providing my safety in my preceding days that still lie ahead. Apart from that, I will be seeking to be with you shortly.
with joy
> If that happens, then it should leave time for all that I have mentioned to you to take place. I want it to be a happy occasion for all of us, there are a lot of stresses in your life and mine, so I hope that this all goes well so we have sufficient time together and are able to relax a little.
and be refreshed
> And then you will all be a good thing for me to take hold of for a little while, so that your fellowship and our discussions will join us in our dedication to Christ. I need others in my life, just like all of you do, so that is why I desire to see what is going on there. I am hoping to be impressed in what I find there, so it does not turn into a heavy burden on all of us.
in your company.
> So that the time I spend with you, I want to be a time of renewal, to see so many good things happening in you, just as Christ is doing elsewhere. There is something wonderful about being able to go somewhere and see Christ so well established. Where people are anxious to here more about Christ and the way of his character, without first having unravel the mistrust among them or rivalries that have arisen among them for prominence.

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