Romans 1:8-12 NIV
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. [9] God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you [10] in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. [11] I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— [12] that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Sometimes we see Paul as a strong and stubborn character, driven by his mission. But here in Romans, we see another side of him, indeed I would argue this is the side that drives him, his compassion. ‘I long to see you’ he writes to them. This is all about relationships between God’s people. He doesn’t just want to write, or text or email, he wants to see them, to be with them. And why? so that he may encourage them and that they might encourage him.
Who can you encourage today through your faith?
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