Paul’s love for the church is phenomenal. I pray that we would love the church like Paul loved her, better yet, like Christ loves her.

Romans 1:7-12 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witnes, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established - that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

At first glance, and without knowledge of how the story ends, this lavish rhetoric might seem to be rather superfluous and exaggerated. However, one only needs to hear the rest of the story to realize that Paul was dead serious about every word written to the Romans. The end of the story is that though Paul probably could have gone free he chose to appeal to Caesar, a sure death sentence. Why did he do such a reckless thing when he could have stayed in Asia minor and Palestine and continued to preach the gospel? Because he loved the church EVERYWHERE she existed; in Jerusalem, in Antioch, in Philippi, in Corinth, in etc… and in Rome! He was searching for “a way in the will of God to come to them,” because he knew that they were a persecuted church and he felt led to provide any spiritual gift he could for their edification.

In light of the bigger story, here are a few observations from the text. First, as in most Pauline literature, he refers to the people in the church as saints, beloved of God. Why is this significant? Because it shows that Paul is looking at the church from a heavenly perspective, and this is absolutely vital to church growth, unity, and missions. The problem is that human beings, even those sanctified by grace, can still be pretty messy, sinful, and annoying at times. This leads to divisions in the church, arguments, and the cessation of what would be many mighty works done for God. However, when we view people in the church as Paul viewed them, as saints, the way we look at them should change. When there is an offense or an argument in light of God’s eternal perspective it is much easier to reconcile and motivate repentance because we see ultimately that they are in Christ and are bound for the New Jerusalem. In this perspective we see not so much the person’s offenses, but the merit of Christ. Paul is not motivated to go to Rome because of people per se, rather he is motivated by Christ in these people. Consequently, he is willing to face a probable death sentence with Caesar simply because by doing so he will be able to meet the church in Rome and impart some spiritual gift. This makes the verse in 2 Corinthians that much more meaningful; “we have this sentence of death within ourselves so that we wouldn’t trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.”

Second, I think that the saintly status and inherent value of the church is what motivates Paul’s constant prayer. He knows intimately that Christ is the foundation of the church, and thus he cannot help but pray for the church without ceasing. This is also another action that goes hand in hand with missions. Missions is motivated by a proper view of the gospel and thus the saints, as well as a consequent fervency in prayer. I’d be willing to say that most great missionaries who have been used of God have been bound to Him in prayer prior to their work. These people love the saints so much that they are constantly entreating God, “if there is some way in your will that I can serve the church, please show me!”

Third, and lastly, this is why missionaries go to dangerous places, because for them there is no more terrible place than the place where they are neglecting God’s saints. I believe that it was unthinkable for Paul not to go to Rome. Why? Because God’s saints, his brothers and sisters were fledgling to survive under the brutal rule of Nero. For Paul to neglect the church would be like us cutting off a hand, a foot, or any other part of our body. These people, simply by virtue of their faith in Christ, were one with Paul and he couldn’t stand to not be with them.

So we have three truths here from the apostle that should ignite our desire for Christ and His church. First, we need to view the church with a heavenly perspective. Second, we need to allow that correct perspective to lead us to fervent prayer for the church. And third, this should lead us to love the church wherever she is. There are saints in Sudan, in Indonesia, in India, in Pakistan, in Iraq, in Iran, in Korea, in China, in Palestine, in Israel, and all over the world. Sure, there are saints in our hometowns and many of us need to love the saints at home first. However, I think that if we really see what Christ has done for us, and if we really view the church as she exists in Christ, then we will like Paul be unable to resist going to the hard places, even places that might seem to many to carry a sure death sentence.