The Will of God versus the Will of Man

God wants you to succeed in life, and he can help you with advice if you need it.

When the time comes to make a big decision or accomplish an important task, God will give the power of his personality through prayer so we can accomplish our goals with ease!
(Romans 1: 8-15) "8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being talked about all over the world. 9 In all my prayers, I never cease to mention you on every occasion, and as God is my witness, whom I serve with all my being by proclaiming the Good News about his Son, I ask him to give me the opportunity to visit you at last, if it is his will. 10 11 For I have a strong desire to visit you, to bring you some spiritual benefit to strengthen your faith, 12 or better: to encourage each other, you and I, through the faith we share.

13 I want you to know, brothers: I have often planned to visit you, but have been prevented from doing so until now. Indeed, I hope to be able to reap some fruit among you, as among many other peoples. 14 I owe it to all men, civilized or not, educated or ignorant. 15 That's why I also want to preach the Gospel to you in Rome.

Rome was what was then known as a fortified city. The opening verses of the Letter to the Romans show how eager the apostle Paul was to go there, but he was often prevented from doing so by the Roman authorities, who were strongly opposed to the complete evangelization of the city. Paul was eventually executed.

Paul tried twice to get to Rome, but never succeeded. He was obliged to write a letter to the Church of Rome, which consisted mainly of Gentiles (non-Jews). Paul wanted to go there to encourage and strengthen the Church in the faith, which was already enjoying great renown. There are several lessons to be drawn from this passage.

Paul was prevented from bringing the good news to Rome. Paul's arrival was a threat to Roman political power, since the conversion of all Romans to Christ could weaken his influence over them. Yet the apostle went there for the sole cause of Christ, to proclaim the gospel of salvation, not to attack the politicians. Today, too, those who advocate justice, peace and fairness, and who denounce evil, continue to be opposed. The world is dishonest and will always fight those who fight for the good cause, for the blossoming of society in general, they are called harmful.

We don't always get what we want, even if we pray. That's the second lesson to be drawn from this text: God in His sovereignty is free to grant our prayers, either directly or indirectly, or He doesn't fulfill our wish. Paul wanted to go to Rome in person to strengthen the Church, but God would have preferred him to do so by mail. If we don't get it after several attempts, despite our prayers, it may be that God doesn't want it, or that He deems it inappropriate at this time for us to ask Him. Paul's attempt to force the issue on his own was finally executed.

The faith of the Romans: This is a teaching addressed to pastors, parents and those in charge of instruction, education, training and so on. In fact, it's wonderful to learn that one's work has borne fruit, that one's path has been followed. Paul rejoices here at the fame he enjoys throughout the world, through the faith of the Church of Rome. However, it is truly regrettable to learn that some Churches excel above all in leading souls astray.

Beloved, we must bear the fruits of the faith we have in Jesus Christ. Namely: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22).

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly

P. Clémentine