“…I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”
Rom 15:19
O that God would send more among us to fully preach the gospel! When Paul considered his ministry, he knew for certain that he had held nothing back in proclaiming the truth. When he says “fully preached” in our text, that phrase conveys the idea of cramming something like a net completely full. It is the same word translated “it was full” in the parable that compares the preaching of the gospel to a dragnet being cast into the sea and pulled in only when it could hold no more. So Paul preached in such a way that he crammed every bit of the revelation of Jesus Christ that he had into his preaching. To borrow a phrase that we’re familiar with, he preached the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
As Paul addressed the Ephesians in Ac 20:26-27, he made a similar statement: “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” He had a clear conscience concerning his declaration of the gospel. No man’s blood was upon his hands because Paul had not held back any truth in his preaching! You see, the preacher has no right to pick and choose what he preaches. 418 times in the Old Testament we read, “Thus says the Lord…” That’s the preacher’s job! He is not to simply declare to the people his opinion, but he is to fully preach to them what the Lord has said! If he’s not sure what God is saying, then he should keep his mouth shut!
The professed church today is filled with all kinds of doctrines that are nothing more than inventions of men. The worship that goes on in these places is the same kind of worship that our Lord condemns in Mt 15:6-9. God hates such empty religion! Just listen to the strength of Christ’s rebuke. “…you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” This effect is the expected result when men fail to “fully preach” the gospel. Worship becomes pointless and vain because it is no longer founded upon the word of God but on the opinions of men. God only accepts the worship of those that do so “in spirit and in truth“! (Jn 4:24)
I am reminded of the words of our Lord in Lk 10:2: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Would you pray with me this day, dear soul, for faithful laborers? We need those that would declare God in His entirety, not a god of their own invention! Where are the ones that would preach, not so that men would know their names, but that would preach so that God alone would be glorified? How many are not leaning on their own understanding but are seeking a word from God on their knees so that they might declare to the people, “Thus says the Lord…”?!! Would you be such a faithful servant to the souls of men? O that God would send more among us to fully preach the gospel!
Jamie