“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” Romans 1:8
As Paul begins his letter to the church in Rome, he gives them some thanks. The thanks that he gives was not for something they gave him or did for him. It was for their faith that was being reported everywhere.
At this time in history, Rome was not known as a Christian or God fearing city. They worshipped many gods. This city was also the major city of that part of the world and the capital of what became one of the largest empires in history.
Hearing of their faith was an encouragement to Paul. Think about when you hear of the testimony of someone. You hear about how someone walked in faith for God and God did a great work in or through them. It is encouraging. It builds your faith.
This is especially true when it is about how they held onto Jesus through a difficult situation that you are now going through yourself. When you hear about how a person held the faith of God’s provision during a time of need, it strengthens your own trust in God’s provision for your own needs.
No one knows what details were being reported around the world that Paul was hearing, but it was about their faith in Jesus.
Your faith may or may not reach around the entire physical world, but it can reach many people. With the internet and social medias of today, it can easily reach around the world instantly.
What are people talking about when they talk about you? Are they talking about how successful you are? How big of a house you have? What kind of car you drive? Your work that you do?
Or are they talking about how you believe in Jesus? How you always talk about Jesus? How you give Jesus the credit for everything?
Life is not about you, but about Jesus. Are you lifting Him up today? What are you talking about today? How are you living your life today?
May those you come in contact, both physically and through the internet, be talking about your faith in Jesus.
I pray today that Jesus will build your faith in Him; that you will be open about your faith in Jesus; that you will live a life of faith in Jesus; that the reports of your life will be about your faith in Jesus; and that many will know Jesus through your testimony.
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