Paul gives five reasons for his engagement in preaching the gospel in all places.
1. Christ love compels us
God as missionary God sent His Son as a missionary, savior and judge into this world. He died on the cross of calvary, buried and rose again. God’s love was expressed, demonstrated, and appeared to humanity. Love responds to love. Paul states that love of God inspires love in him to reach out. (II Corinthians 5:14)
2. Obliged
Paul writes that he is obliged or bound to preach the gospel to all. (Romans 1:14-17) Christians are made free in Christ but become bond-slaves voluntarily. A slave forsakes his talents, time treasure and will and lives for the master. The ‘will’ of slaves is surrendered and the ‘will’ of the master becomes the rule of life. Paul was not a forced laborer of the gospel but a volunteer for the gospel.
3. Eagerness?
Paul writes that he is eager to preach the gospel. The eagerness is the outcome of fullness and abundance. David similarly confesses that his cup overflows with joy (Psalm 23:5) Jesus told this aspect as ‘spring of water welling up to eternal life’. (John 4:14) There is a spontaneous outflow of the love of God that has been poured in a Christian’s heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
4. Not ashamed?
Paul declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Gospel is like dynamite that can transform human beings beyond all human calculations. The Gospel is neither a legend, nor empty words but God’s loving communication of a plan of redemption for all humanity. The Gospel embraces all people from the whole humanity who respond in faith into God’s Kingdom.
5. Not afraid
Paul was encouraged by the Lord, not to be afraid to preach in the city of Corinth. (Acts 18:9-11) Lord commanded him to go on speaking and not be silent. Yes, the church in Corinth became strong, even though there were many issues that were sorted out by Paul in his two letters.
Am I joyfully involved in sharing the gospel?