Paul's Heart for the Romans

In Romans 1:8-17 Paul disclosed his heart for the Roman church. He wanted them to know:
that he was thankful for their faith (v.8),

• that he prayed all the time that he might come to them (v. 9-10),
• that he longed to see them for their mutual edification (v. 11-12),
• that he had planned to come so that he might productively minister the gospel among them (v.13),
• that he was obligated by God to preach the gospel to them (v.14-15),
• and finally that he was not ashamed of that gospel.
  All of these concerned Paul and his regard for the Christians in Rome. Although Paul had his Roman readers in mind when he originally wrote these words, if we allow these words to come to us seeing them as falling upon our ears under the Sovereign will of God, we can be prepared to receive the rest of the letter as coming from one with this heart for the people God had sent him to. Verses 16-17 transition off of Paul's disclosure of himself to the Romans and onto his main theme, the gospel. No longer are there so many references to Paul and his thoughts, the subject now switches to God and how His righteousness is revealed in the gospel. May we receive and from Pastor and Apostle Paul his carefully chosen words in the rest of the letter, knowing that God gifted and called Paul to minister the gospel to us for His purposes. May we honor God's intention by receiving from Paul.